Friday a night to remember in Express history
April 10, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
Round Rock lost, 6-2, to Iowa Friday night, but the loss was overshadowed by the greater significance of the evening, as the late Mike Coolbaugh's No. 32 was retired during a moving mid-game ceremony.
Before the game started, Coolbaugh's sons Joey and Jacob threw out the ceremonial first pitches, paving the way for a memorable night.
Between the sixth and seventh inning, Coolbaugh's family took the field, and were presented with his framed Round Rock jersey, a commemorative painting by Opie Otterstad and an honorary base with 32 embossed on the sides. Coolbaugh's wife Mandy then took the microphone.
"You'll have to bear with me here," she started, voice shaking.
She then delivered an emotional speech thanking the many family members, friends and fans for their kind words and prayers following her husband and former Express fan favorite's untimely death in August of 2007. Mandy acknowledged how moved Mike would have been if he was there, and asked everyone for their continued support of baseball families. During a prolonged ovation, the retired jersey was unveiled on the left field wall, which only heightened the electricity in the air.
Following the game, a video tribute preceded Friday Night Fireworks - a fitting ending to one of the most significant nights in Express history.
The game on the field wasn't one the Express players probably wanted to remember.
Iowa jumped on Round Rock starter Jose Capellan in the first inning, as Sam Fuld walked to lead off the game, and So Taguchi followed with a single to right-center field and advanced on the throw to third. With runners on second and third, Nate Spears grounded out to first and Fuld scored as Taguchi moved to third. Jake Fox then singled up the middle to score Taguchi and take a 2-0 lead.
The I-Cubs kept things going in the fifth, as Spears led off with a single to shallow center field. Fox followed with a home run onto the left field berm to double the lead, and after a Chris Robinson single, Andres Blanco doubled to bring in another run and extend the lead to 5-0.
Round Rock managed to put two runs on the board, thanks to a Brian Bogusevic grounder that scored Lou Santangelo and a sacrifice fly by Mark Saccomanno that scored Matt Kata.
Iowa tacked on one more run in the top of the ninth thanks to a sacrifice fly by Fox that plated Taguchi.
The Express managed six hits against I-Cubs pitchers Jose Ascanio, J.R. Mathes, Jeff Stevens, Chad Fox and Kevin Hart, while Iowa took advantage of 10 hits and five walks by the Round Rock staff.
The two teams meet again Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Round Rock right-hander Jeff Fulchino takes the mound against Iowa right-hander Esmailin Caridad.
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 10, 2009
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- Friday a night to remember in Express history - Round Rock Express
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- River Cats to Hold Ring Ceremony Saturday Night - Sacramento River Cats
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- Cats Fall on Opening Night - Sacramento River Cats
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