NAmL San Rafael Pacifics

Pacifics Complete Series Sweep in Walkoff Fashion

Published on July 1, 2013 under North American League (NAmL)
San Rafael Pacifics News Release


SAN RAFAEL, Calif. - The San Rafael Pacifics made it look easy in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader versus the Hawaii Stars with a 12-2 victory that extended the team's home winning streak to 11. That streak looked in jeopardy in game two but a pair of late home runs gave San Rafael a dramatic come-from-behind extra innings victory, 6-4, to make it 12 in a row.

Pacifics (21-6) outfielder Chase Fontaine homered to dead center in the bottom of the seventh inning (both games of the doubleheader were scheduled for seven innings) to tie the game at 4-4. In the eighth inning, Johnny Woodard saved the best for last. He walked it off in the second time in three days with a shot to to center field to keep the Pacifics' perfect home record intact and complete the six-game sweep of Hawaii (12-18).

The Stars built a 4-0 lead in game two, fueled by a Matt Hibbert home run and two unearned runs off of San Rafael starter Ross Pomerantz (ND), but San Rafael chipped away at the lead in the fifth. Catcher Matt Quintero, who was hit by a pitch then stole second, scored on an error by Stars first baseman Marshall McDonald. McDonald collided with batter Zack Pace trying to field the ball and Pace left with an apparent reaggravated hamstring. Despite the setback, second baseman Price Kendall stepped into the batter's box and got hold of a fastball up in the zone and drove it over the left field wall to cut the deficit to 4-3.

The first-place Pacifics used a steady stream of left-handers on the mound. In game one, Bennett Whitmore (2-2) allowed two runs on two hits and struck out five in a complete-game effort in game one. After Pomerantz went four innings, Nate King and AJ Gallardo (1-1), who earned the game two win, combined for five strikeouts over the next four innings.

A six-run Pacifics first inning set the tone for game one. Right fielder Maikel Jova singled to right to score second baseman for the game's first run. Stars pitcher Courtney Arruda (2-3) struggled with his command and walked home shortstop Danny Gonzalez with the bases loaded. Fontaine reached first on an error, which allowed Jova and Woodard to both score. Catcher Kevin Reinking kept it going with an RBI single and two batters later Fontaine came home on an error.

San Rafael doubled its lead with four runs in the second and three more in the third. Reinking came through with another RBI single and Pace, making his first start since June 22 after aggravating his hamstring, cleared the bases with a double to right field. Third baseman Kyle Dhanani and Gonzalez both drove in runs in the third.

The homestand continues on Tuesday, July 2 with a six-game homestand versus second-place Maui Na Koa Ikaika. Highlights include a salute to America with a pregame Vintage Baseball exhibition presented by Sobel Communications before first pitch at 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 4. On Saturday, July 6, the "Knuckle Princess" Eri Yoshida takes the hill. The first female in professional baseball will show off the knuckleball that she learned from former major leaguer Tim Wakefield. On Sunday, July 7 the Pacifics present a Salute to Veterans presented by Marin Sanitary featuring a showcase of World War II era vehicles outside Albert Park. Tickets for the homestand are available at www.pacificsbaseball.com.

Check out the San Rafael Pacifics Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



North American League Stories from July 1, 2013


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.

OurSports Central