Outlaws win 12-7 to even series with Flyers
Published on July 6, 2006 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Chico Outlaws News Release
FULLERTON, CA - The Chico Outlaws broke open a close game with five runs in the 4th inning and four more in the 5th, then held off a pesky Fullerton offense to beat the Flyers 12-7 Wednesday night at Goodwin Field on the campus of Cal State Fullerton. The victory snapped a three-game Outlaws losing streak and evened the three-game set with Fullerton at one win apiece.
The game began as a pitcher's duel between Chico's Grant Gregg and Todd Gelatka of Fullterton. Neither team got on the board until the 3rd inning when the Outlaws took advantage of Gelatka's wildness - back-to-back walks to Jesse Kovacs and Jason Matteucci, a sacrfice bunt by Bobby Gandolfo and a sacrifice fly gave Chico a 1-0 lead. In the 4th the Outlaws chased Gelatka and built their lead to 6-0 - Craig Kuzmic led off the inning with a solo homer to right (his seventh of the year); Jason Van Meetren walked and was tripled home by Todd Gossage. Lino Garcia walked and was wild pitched to second...then two batters later Matteucci singled to center to knock in Gossage and Garcia. Desi Wilson capped off the inning with an RBI single to right to plate Matteucci.
After Matt Ferrara's run-scoring single put Fullerton on the board in the bottom of the 4th, the Outlaws erupted again in the 5th - and this time the Flyers provided plenty of help. A single, hit batter and a walk loaded the bases...then Fullerton reliever Robert issued consecutive bases-loaded walks to Gandolfo and Wilson, making the score 8-1. Mike Mallory followed with a bloop single to center to knock in Kovacs and Gandolfo to make it a 10-1 game. Bret Levier knocked in a run for the Flyers in the bottom of the 5th, but in the 6th Chico went up 12-2 when Kovacs doubled off the base of the center field wall, driving in Van Meetren and Gossage.
Fullerton scored again in the 6th to make in 12-3...and before the inning was over Gregg was ejected from the game for arguing with home plate umpire Antonio Garcia. It was then left to the Outlaws bullpen to record the final 10 outs, but the Flyers pecked away, scoring three in the 8th against reliever A.J. Ampi and another in the 9th off George Huguet...but Huguet finally locked down the victory when he got Levier to fly out to center to end the game.
Gregg (2-2) went five-and-two-thirds innings to pick up the victory - his second against Fullerton - while Gelatka (2-2) was saddled with the loss. The Outlaws 10-hit attack was paced by Van Meetren (2-for-2, three runs scored) and Kuzmic (2-for-5), while Wilson collected three RBI on the night...the Flyers rapped out a season high 18 hits in the losing effort, with Levier and Gabriel Mayorga collecting three safeties apiece. Wednesday's win improved Chico's record to 18-15 on the season, while Fullerton dropped to 14-18. The rubber game of the series is slated for Thursday night, with right-hander Mike Cosgrove (2-0) on the mound for the Outlaws...the Flyers are expected to counter with lefty Matt Lincoln (1-1). Game time is scheduled for 7:05pm.
Golden Baseball League Stories from July 6, 2006
- Chico takes series with 9-5 win - Orange County Flyers
- New acquisition Turino will showcase arm in bullpen session - San Diego Surf Dawgs
- Outlaws win 12-7 to even series with Flyers - Chico Outlaws
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
