Pacifics Home Winning Streak Snapped at 14
Published on July 4, 2013 under North American League (NAmL)
San Rafael Pacifics News Release
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. - The San Rafael Pacifics' formula has been to strike first and that approach worked to the tune of 14 consecutive home victories to begin the 2013 campaign. That streak came to an end after Na Koa Ikaika Maui mounted a four-run lead in the first inning and added on to hand the Pacifics an 11-3 loss, the team's first of the season at Albert Park.
Maui (22-11) built an early 4-0 lead that would be all that was needed. Ray Serrano haunted Pacifics pitchers all day with a 2 for 4 day that saw the first baseman score a run and plate four more. He started his day off with a first inning bases-loaded double to right field that scored two.
San Rafael (23-7) got a run back in the bottom half of the inning when leadoff hitter Price Kendall scored on right fielder Maikel Jova's single. That would have also put runners at first and second but Darrick Hale's gamble on the basepaths resulted in the first baseman being thrown out at first. The Pacifics kept battling Maui starter Chad Blackwell (3-4) but catcher Kevin Reinking lined out sharply on a 2-2 pitch to leave the bases loaded.
In the second, another Serrano RBI double pushed the lead back to four. A hard hit ball by Maui third baseman Jimmy Rohan at third was knocked down by his counterpart Kyle Dhanani, who recovered and threw home to Reinking to get the second out at third. Another run came home anyway when San Rafael starter Christian Scholl (3-1) uncorked a wild pitch in front of the plate though that allowed the runners to move up 90 feet and Jeremy Williams to score from third to make it 6-1.
After Nate King pitched three scoreless innings for San Rafael, Casey Russell allowed a Maui run in the sixth. Left-hander Ross Pomerantz entered in the seventh inning and allowed a three-run homer off the left field foul pole for Angus Roger in the ninth. An RBI single by Sing-Chow made it 11-3.
Overshadowed by the loss was an impressive professional debut by outfielder Morgan Mickan. The Georgetown, Texas native went 2 for 4 with a run and an RBI. The lefty blooped a ball to shallow right field for his first career hit, then scored from second on Jova's double to left field in the seventh. Mickan notched his first career RBI with a two-out double to center field in the eighth that scored Danny Gonzalez.
"It always feels good to get your first hit but you wish you could keep the streak going," said Mickan. "That's how it goes, that's baseball. We'll come out and get after it tomorrow."
The Pacifics will look to begin another win streak on Friday, July 5 for game four of the series versus Maui. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. Fans will be able to play along the action with Baseball Bingo, with prizes provided by West End Caf̮̩.
On Saturday, July 6, Japanese native Eri Yoshida, the first female to play professional baseball in two countries, will take the mound for Maui. All females are encouraged to come watch this inspirational woman pitch with $5 general admission tickets offered to all women on gameday at the Guarantee Mortgage ticket booth at Albert Park.
Tickets are available at www.pacificsbaseball.com.
North American League Stories from July 4, 2013
- Pacifics Home Winning Streak Snapped at 14 - San Rafael Pacifics
- Pacifics Strike Early to Hand Smith, Maui Loss - 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.
