NAmL San Rafael Pacifics

Pacifics Get to Yoshida Early, Return to Win Column

Published on July 6, 2013 under North American League (NAmL)
San Rafael Pacifics News Release


SAN RAFAEL, Calif. - Fans turned out in droves to Albert Park on Saturday evening to see the vaunted "Knuckle Princess" Eri Yoshida, the only female in professional baseball pitch. Every pitch counts though, and with a tight race in the Pacific Association standings, Yoshida's time on the mound was a brief two and a third innings. She was chased by a two-run homer by Pacifics third baseman Kyle Dhanani as the Pacifics returned to form with a 5-3 victory over Na Koa Ikaika Maui.

Left fielder Chris Waters climbed the wall to no avail and watched Dhanani's homer, just the third long ball Yoshida has allowed this season, clear the fence. The lead put San Rafael (24-8) back in front, 3-2, and Josh Larson came on to pitch for Maui (23-12). Zack Pace added to the Pacifics lead with a single to right field that drove home left fielder Chase Fontaine.

"I went up looking for one high. The first at-bat she thew me a low one and I just missed it. Then she threw me another one inside, the knuckler so I took that and I decided she might throw a fastball," said Dhanani. "That's the one I got, I still haven't hit the knuckleball."

After nearly coming up with a diving catch in the second that instead resulted in a run, Pace made a nice effort in the fourth to rob Angus Rogers of a double as Pace went face-first into the center-field wall. That was followed by a fine scoop by Darrick Hale, who gloved a ball slicing towards foul territory and raced to the bag for an out. Whitmore then struck out Jose Chema Sanchez for the shutdown inning, something that San Rafael sorely lacked the last two games of the series.

Second baseman Price Kendall got San Rafael started offensively with a lead-off single in the bottom of the first. He eventually came home on a sacrifice fly off the bat of designated hitter Johnny Woodard for an early 1-0 San Rafael lead.

A throwing error by San Rafael starter Bennet Whitmore on a slow roller made for a shaky start to Maui's half of the second inning. Catcher Ray Serrano made the Pacifics pay with a game-tying double, then Sanchez's RBI single that Pace nearly came up with put Maui back in front, 2-1.

"It's just baseball. I try and go out there and get outs," said Whitmore, when asked if he felt added pressure against Yoshida. "We have a defense behind us that makes plays and an offense that puts up runs."

Woodard added an insurance run in the seventh inning with his seventh homer of the season, which ties him with Maui's Serrano for the Pacific Association lead.

Despite allowing a run in the ninth, Colin Allen earned his sixth save. Whitmore improved to 3-1 while Yoshida fell to 1-3. Pacifics relievers Dan Rogers and AJ Gallardo each worked an inning and struck out a pair each.

Regardless her short outing, fans were still excited to get a glimpse of the 21-year-old Yoshida, a native of Japan who learned how to throw knuckleball by watching film of former major leaguer Tim Wakefield.

"She's with all the boys, I think she pitched really well," said nine-year-old Kathleen from Fairfax, who came out to see the young role model. "It makes me feel like I kind of want to do, I played baseball for five years."

"I'm glad that there's a girl on the team," added nine-year-old Sydney. "I play softball so it's pretty exciting."

The series concludes on Sunday, July 7 with a 1:15 p.m. tilt at Albert Park. The Pacifics will pay a Salute to Veterans presented by Marin Sanitary featuring World War II-era vehicles on display outside Albert Park. Tickets are still available at www.pacificsbaseball.com.

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North American League Stories from July 6, 2013


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