Rivard Wins Hometown Start

Published on May 15, 2009 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


The Calgary Vipers hit five homeruns and won their first exhibition game 17-13 over the Edmonton Capitals at Ron Morgan Park in Fort McMurray, Alberta. The Vipers starting pitcher Reggie Rivard, who makes his home in Fort Mac. during the off-season, picked up the victory going two innings and striking out two while giving up two runs. The offense was led by Calgary's fifth-year leftfielder Drew Miller who smacked two homeruns for four runs batted in total.

Also solid at the plate for the Snakes were: Nelson Castro who went three-for-four with a homerun and four runs batted in, Mark Okano going three-for-six with a homerun and four runs batted in, and Terry Mermer who went two-for-three with two walks and a homerun. On the mound for Calgary Dallas Mahan threw three solid innings giving up two runs and fanning two while Mac Suzuki only needed six pitches in his one inning of work to retire the side in order.

In the top of the first inning the Capitals got on the scoreboard as Gary Harris singled, moved to second when Darryl Brinkley was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored as Joe Jiannetti grounded to third base but before Carlos Duncan tagged Brinkley for the final out of the inning Harris scored.

Chad Ehrnsberger hit a solo homerun in the second inning to give Edmonton a 2-0 lead.

The Vipers broke the game wide open in the bottom of the inning with ten runs on seven hits. Miller started it off with a solo homerun and was followed by walks to Ivan Reyes and Mermer. Rick Guarno singled home a run, Colin Moro walked, Castro cashed another run with a hit, Okano doubled in two, and Duncan singled one in as well. Miller was back at it again with his second homerun of the inning with this shot of the three run variety. Finally Reyes walked, Mermer singled him around to third, and Guarno made it 10-2 with a sacrifice fly.

Calgary added a run in the third frame when Fehlandt Lentini singled, stole second base, and scored on a Duncan base knock.

In the top of the fourth inning after Norm Hutchins walked Joe Jiannetti hit a two run homerun to make the score 11-4.

Mermer led off the bottom of the inning with a solo homerun and later in the frame Castro hit a three run shot after Moro and Lentini had walked for a 15-4 lead.

The Snakes added to their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning with a Rob Recuenco single and an Okano two run blast for the 17-4 score.

Edmonton made a game of it in the top of the seventh frame scoring nine runs on six hits. Kevin House singled, Jared Schweitzer and John Pasieka walked, and Mitch Grahame cranked a grand slam. Gary Harris hit a solo homerun, Alvin Dumont walked, and Brinkley doubled him home. After a House walk Schweitzer nailed a three run shot to cap the inning and score at 17-13.

In total ten homeruns were hit in the smaller stadium with the centerfield wall being 360 feet away from home plate. Due to darkness the two teams called the game after seven innings were completed. The losing pitcher was Matt Dahlin.

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



Golden Baseball League Stories from May 15, 2009


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