Pacifics Clinch Championship Game Berth
Published on July 18, 2014 under North American League (NAmL)
San Rafael Pacifics News Release
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. - The Pacifics completed their sweep over the Sonoma Stompers with a final score of 11 - 6 to be crowned champions of the first half of the Pacific Association season. The title has clinched an automatic berth in the championship game on Labor Day. Mike Orefice led the Pacifics offensive explosion going 2- 4 with three RBI.
"These are the spots I want to be in, growing up I've always been taught to be the guy in the pressure spot of a big game, so for me these are the games that are fun", Orefice explained.
The Pacifics sent all nine batters to the plate in the first inning, taking advantage of three errors committed by the Stompers. In the inning, the Pacifics plated five runs on four hits off Sonoma's starting pitcher, Eric Schwieger.
The hot streak continued in the bottom of the second inning when Jeremy Williams hit a double off the center field wall scoring Zack Pace and Ravel Santana. The Pacifics pushed their lead to seven runs in the third with Pace's 19th RBI on the season.
Pace extended his hitting streak to eight games going 2-4 with an RBI and run scored.
After holding the Stompers hitless for the first two innings, Pacifics Rob Ellis ran into trouble in the third. The Stompers scored five runs on four hits and two walks off Ellis. Chris Rice relieved Ellis and was able to force a 6-4-3 double play to get the Pacifics out of the inning.
Rice turned in his best outing of the season going 3 2/3 innings allowing two hits and striking out a season best six batters in route to his first win of the season.
"I've come into these situations with a few runners on base before, so I've definitely gotten used to it, I'm not as nervous anymore", Rice said. "We had a job to do and I knew what mine was".
Dan Rogers took to the mound in the seventh inning completing two innings before Colin Allen came in to close out the game. Rogers walked four, but was able to keep the Stompers from scoring with the help from his defense.
With the sweep, the Pacifics will face off against the winner of the second half of the season in the Pacific Association Championship Game on Labor Day. If the Pacifics win the second half of the season, a championship game will not be played, crowning the Pacifics the 2014 Pacific Association Champion.
The Pacifics will open the second half of the season with a three game series against the Pittsburg Mettle. First game will be Friday, July 18th with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
North American League Stories from July 18, 2014
- Pacifics Clinch Championship Game Berth - San Rafael Pacifics
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.
