Pippins Edge out 4-3 Victory in Series Opener
June 10, 2016 - West Coast League (WCL)
Gresham GreyWolves News Release
GRESHAM, Ore. - For the second consecutive night, a late-inning rally was mounted by the Gresham GreyWolves at Oslund Field. Unfortunately for Gresham, that rally fell just short yet again, with the visiting Yakima Valley Pippins edging out a 4-3 win in Thursday's series opener.
An inability to get clutch base hits seemed to do the GreyWolves in tonight, as the club left 11 runners on base and two in scoring position to end the bottom of the ninth.
Gresham was unable to take advantage of a quality start from right-handed pitcher Brett Gannaway, who went six innings and only allowed one run on three hits in his first outing of West Coast League play. Reliever Will Matthiessen (0-1) took the loss for the GreyWolves, while Yakima Valley righty Josh Rios (1-0) was credited with the victory.
The two teams will return to action on Friday night for game two of the three game set. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. back at Oslund Field.
Gresham head coach Justin Barchus' post-game thoughts are below:
On leaving runners on base:
"I don't think we could have left any more runners on base tonight. It was like our guys were allergic to the big base hit. We just didn't execute well at all."
On Gannaway's outing:
"He was fantastic. That team's (Yakima Valley) offensive numbers have been miles ahead of everyone else, so for him to come in here and pretty much baffle them a couple times through the lineup was big for us. That's what we expect out of Brett."
On the play of left fielder Jack Bauer, who went 1-for-2 with an RBI, two hit-by-pitches, and a diving catch in the outfield:
"Jack did a great job. We ask him to catch...we ask him to play left...we ask him to play right. He's done a really good job, and even though he had a tough lefty-lefty matchup tonight, he stuck his elbow in there a couple times and got on base. That is his job in the two spot. He will play a big role for us this year as a true utility guy."
On Gresham's late-game success so far this season:
"I think that shows how dangerous we are. A little more fire in the middle innings would be good, but they'll be alright and eventually break through. I love to see that fight late in games."
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West Coast League Stories from June 10, 2016
- Three Knights Alums Selected on Day 2 of MLB Draft - Corvallis Knights
- Pippins Edge out 4-3 Victory in Series Opener - Gresham GreyWolves
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- AppleSox Swept by HarbourCats - Wenatchee AppleSox
- Help Promote Grass Roots Baseball - Kelowna Falcons
- Kelowna Falcons Sweep Sweets - Kelowna Falcons
- Pippins Rally For 9th Inning Comeback Win - Yakima Valley Pippins
- Knights Drop Finale in 12th - Corvallis Knights
- Sweets Drop Game Three to Falcons, Get Swept - Walla Walla Sweets
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