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CalL1 Visalia Rawhide

Rawhide Start New Era with a Bang

April 21, 2009 - California League (CalL1)
Visalia Rawhide News Release


VISALIA-Over the past ten days, the Visalia Rawhide celebrated the beginning of their new era with ten consecutive victories and the largest single-game home crowds since the early 1960s.

When the team left for Lake Elsinore on April 9th for a season-opening 7-game road trip, few imagined that they would return undefeated. But they did, thanks to stellar pitching, timely hitting, and, perhaps, a boost from their new scarlet & gray road uniforms.

As the ballclub arrived back in town early Thursday morning, the buzz around Visalia was palpable. That night, a record crowd of 2,610 packed the newly renovated Recreation Ballpark to watch the Rawhide face Modesto. It was the largest crowd at Rec Park since its original wooden grandstands were torn down after the 1962 season. And the Rawhide didn't disappoint.

With the Mayor, city officials, old Visalia baseball alumni, and a packed house looking on, Collin Cowgill broke a tense 1-1 tie in the bottom of the 8th inning with a majestic solo home run to left field to give the Rawhide a lead they would not relinquish.

The team went on to win further games on Friday and Saturday to push their record to 10-0. The incredible start tied a 31-year-old California League record for best ever start. Ironically, the 2009 Rawhide share the mark with the 1978 Visalia squad, which was the last Visalia team to win the league championship.

Breaking the mark, however, proved to be a step too far, as the Rawhide finally succumbed to Modesto on Sunday.

But with a talented roster, completed stadium renovations, and thousands of happy and excited fans, the Rawhide are primed for a special season. Baseball in Visalia has never been healthier.

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