In Game of Ejections, Flyers Toss out Maui

September 6, 2010 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Orange County Flyers News Release


WAILUKU, Hawai'i (September 5, 2010) - The Orange County Flyers offense finally found its stride in a 7-1 win over Na Koa Ikaika Maui on Sunday in the second game of a doubleheader at Iron Maehara Stadium. Orange County finishes the regular season on Monday before beginning the playoffs on Tuesday in Maui.

Maui had its starting pitcher, manager as well as three other players and the on-field MC all ejected from the game. In the top of the first with one out and a runner on first base, Maui starting pitcher Gregorio Martinez was called for a balk, advancing a runner from first to second. Maui manager Cory Snyder and Martinez were ejected for arguing the balk just two batters into the ballgame.

During the bottom of the first inning, umpires ejected Maui's left side of the infield, sending third baseman Michael Higa and shortstop Rex Rundgren to the clubhouse along with reserve catcher Jowen Murray Thornton for heckling the umps from the dugout for calling an umpire "rabbit ears." Later in the game, the on-field host was barred from the microphone for hosting a "bunny hop" contest. Maui's PA announcer was also threatened with ejection if he played any "rabbit related songs or sound clips" in the game.

Orange County drew first blood in the second inning on a Julian Benavidez solo homerun (13) off Jerry Spradlin, who came in to pitch for Martinez.

Flyers starter Matt Durkin tossed four scoreless innings with six strikeouts before being lifted for Matt Riley in the fifth, who earned the win with a scoreless inning of work. Bryan Harris and Andre Simpson also worked in relief for OC.

The Flyers added four runs off Mark Okano, one of three Maui position players who pitched an inning of relief for Na Koa Ikaika. David Harris added a two-run single and Keith Ginter drove in another runner on a single. Zach Mandelblatt and Tyler Keeble added RBIs in the sixth inning off outfielder-turned-pitcher Paul Nishimura.

Flyers pitcher Jake Renshaw collected his first professional hit in a fifth inning pinch hit appearance, an infield single between the pitchers mound and third base.

The Orange County Flyers (51-34, 29-11 second half) begin a best-of-five playoff series against Na Koa Ikaika Maui (55-26, 29-9) in Maui on Tuesday, September 7, and will host Game 3 of the series on Friday, September 10 at 7:05pm at Goodwin Field. OC will host Games 4 and 5, if necessary, on September 11 and 12.

The Flyers conclude the regular Monday night on Maui at 6:35pm Hawaiian, 9:35pm Pacific. All games from Maui can be heard live through Live365 with Josh Feldman through www.OrangeCountyFlyers.com.



Golden Baseball League Stories from September 6, 2010


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