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Scorpions Outduel Flyers

June 22, 2007 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Orange County Flyers News Release


Playing in the old school Negro League uniforms, the Orange County Flyers bats were quieted by stellar Scorpions pitching in a close defeat at the hands of the league leading Yuma Scorpoins.

On Tribute to Negro League Night, the Orange County Flyers and Yuma Scorpions played old school in a hard fought pitcher's dual as the Flyers' starting RHP Michael Natale (0-1) and the Scorpions' Roger Luque (1-0) battled it out in a 3-1 Flyers loss at Goodwin Field in Fullerton.

In his first start of the season, Natale was efficient, if not sometimes spectacular save for a few misplaced pitches that ended up costing the Flyers a victory.

After cruising through the first 2 innings, Natale gave up a home run to Scorpion C Pascuel Matos off an 0-1 pitch to left center for Matos' 2nd home run of the season.

The Flyers responded quickly in the bottom of the 3rd off Scorpion starting LHP Loque as Flyers 2B David Bacani (Cal St. Fullerton) doubled to right center and was then followed by a walk to CF Garry Templeton to put runners on first and third with 1 out.

LF Rich Pohle then stepped up and got a ruled fielder's choice on a fly to right center field which was initially thought to be caught, but was then bungled by Scorpion RF Maikel Jova. Templeton, who was holding up at 1st, was then forced out at second for the second out of the inning. Peanut Williams tied the score on the next at-bat when he beat a grounder to deep short to score Bacani from 3rd.

Both pitchers then settled in and pitched supurbly until Natale gave up a lead-off double to Matos ,who went 2-4 with an RBI, a run scored, and a home run on the night, in the top of the 8th.

After getting Scorpions 2B Hector Bernal to pop up his bunt to him, Natale let Matos advance to 3rd on a wild pitch. Natale then walked SS Jordan Prado and struck out CF Michael Goss before yielding a first pitch triple to LF Rich Janeway off the wall in right center field to clear the bases and give Yuma a 3-1 lead.

Natale (7.2 IP, 4 hits, 3 ER) was then relieved by RHP Jared Terrebone who retired Scorpion DH Henry Calderon to end the inning and the scoring for both teams.

Scorpion pitcher Loque (7 IP, 4 hits, 1 ER) was relived by RHP Matt Saucedo (0-0) in the 8th. Saucedo and Scorpion closer Amad Stephens (1-0, 1 save) combined to shut the door on any Flyer rally to give the Scorpions the victory in the first game of 5-game series against the Flyers.

The Flyers DH Peanut Williams went 1-4 to go along with the Flyers sole RBI of the night to lead the Flyers in their loss.

Catch all the action tomoorrow as the Flyers again take on the 1st place Yuma Scorpions at Goodwin Field.

Catch all the action at orangecountyflyers.com

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Golden Baseball League Stories from June 22, 2007


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