Homer Happy Flyers Win Big, Down Outlaws 14-5

Published on June 4, 2008 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Chico Outlaws News Release


CHICO, CA - The Orange County Flyers belted four home runs - three in a five-run 4th inning - and Matt Merricks combined with three relievers to hold Chico to seven hits in a 14-5 victory over the Outlaws in front of over 1,800 Tuesday night at Nettleton Stadium...Chico losing its third straight on their current homestand.

The Flyers never trailed in the contest and wasted little time getting on the board with a pair of runs in the top of the 1st inning - Mark Okano doubled and scored on a fielder's choice grounder...Jermy Acey then came home when first baseman Shane Cronin's throw to third sailed past Julian Benavidez and down the right field line. The Outlaws tied the game in the bottom of the 1st when Todd Gossage reached on a wild pitch third strike and Benavidez followed with a home run over the left field wall...it was Julian's third round tripper in as many nights.

The score stayed tied until the fateful 4th inning, when Orange County batted around against Chico starter Berek Fasking. The inning started with back-to-back solo homers on consecutive pitches off the bats of Brian Rios and Pat Breen. After Jeff LaRue singled, Fernando Pacheco went big fly, bombing a homer over the right field wall to make the score 6-2. Josh Arhart delivered a base hit and eventually scored on a Fasking wild pitch...by the time the third out was recorded, the Flyers held a 7-2 lead. Orange County extended their advantage with two runs in the 5th and three more in the 6th off Outlaws reliever Tyler Pearson...Arhart, LaRue and Pacheco all driving in runs with doubles.

Trailing 12-2, Chico plated a pair of runs in the 7th when Gabe Riley singled home Jesse Kovacs; Benavidez scored from second on the play on a throwing error at third by LaRue. The Flyers tacked on another run in the 8th off reliever Rob Ellis...the Outlaws matched it in the bottom of the 8th when Kevin McCarthy singled home Bryan Silverman to make the score 13-5. In the top of the 9th Okano ripped a solo homer to center off Chico's Todd Gelatka...then Dane De La Rosa retired the Outlaws in order in the 9th to seal Orange County's second straight win.

Merricks (1-0) allowed just two runs on three hits in five innings to pick up the victory; Fasking (0-1) lasted only four frames in taking the loss. LaRue and Okano had three hits apiece to lead Orange County's 14-hit attack...Rios, Pacheco and Arhart had two safeties apiece. Silverman and McCarthy each had two hits for Chico, who with Tuesday's loss fall to 1-8 on the season...Orange County improves to 6-3 on the campaign. The Outlaws look to avoid the series sweep Wednesday with right-hander Rudy Quinonez (0-2) getting the start; the Flyers will throw righty Jeremy Zick (0-1). Game time is 7:05pm; hear all the action with Rory Miller calling the play-by-play beginning at 6:35pm on ESPN 101.7 FM or 1340 AM. The game can also be heard on the internet at www.ChicoOutlawsBaseball.com.



Golden Baseball League Stories from June 4, 2008


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