Snakes Score Early, Hold On Late

Published on August 23, 2008 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


The Calgary Vipers scored all their runs in the first four innings and were able to hang on for a 12-10 victory over the Reno Silver Sox at Foothills Stadium in Calgary, Alberta. After falling behind 3-0 in the first inning the Snakes responded to go up 12-4 and take an eight run lead that was just enough for their second straight win over Reno. Calgary is now 17-20 in the second half of the season and 43-38 overall.

Reno quickly jumped out to an early lead as they loaded the bases in the top of the first inning with a Carlos Madrid single, Ross McCoy walk, and Matt Kavanaugh infield base hit. With two outs Steven Alexander cleared the sacks with a three run double for the 3-0 lead.

It did not take the Vipers long to tie the game as in the bottom of the frame Demond Smith and Colin Moro walked and after a wild pitch both runners scored on a Darryl Brinkley single. A Jorge Mejia base hit pushed Brinkley to third base where he scored on a Drew Miller sacrifice fly to make the score 3-3.

Calgary went out in front in the bottom of the second as they loaded the bases with a Patrick Arlis walk, Smith single, and Duncan base on balls. With two outs Brinkley hit a ground ball that went through the legs of third baseman John Hattig and allowed two runs to score for the 5-3 advantage.

Hattig led off the next half inning with a double and after a McCoy groundout moved him to third base he scored on a Kavanaugh run batted in groundout for the 5-4 score.

The scoring continued in the bottom of the third as Miller, Jorge Tang, and Arlis all walked to load the bases. Smith cashed a run with a fielder's choice, Tang scored on a wild pitch, Moro doubled home a run, Duncan singled in another, and finally Brinkley plated a fifth run for the 10-4 lead with a double.

For the fourth straight inning the Snakes put a crocked number on the scoreboard as Miller hit a solo homerun for his 17th of the season for the first run. Tang and Drafer followed with singles and another Hattig error on a Arlis groundball loaded the bases for Smith who made the score 12-4 with a RBI groundout.

The Silver Sox climbed back into the game in the top of the fifth inning as Hattig doubled and McCoy smashed a two run big fly to start the scoring. Kavanaugh was hit by a pitch, Alexander singled, Andre Alvarado doubled a run in, a wild pitch scored Alexander and advanced Alvarado to third base, and Doug Sanders plated a fifth run with a RBI groundout to cut the lead down to three at 12-9.

In the top of the ninth inning Reno's Alexander and Alvarado were both hit by pitches and Ben Wharton doubled home a run while also putting the tying runs in scoring position with only one out. However Jon Huizinga was able to get a strikeout and ground ball to end the game.

The Snakes played some outstanding defence tonight as they did not commit an error and made two outstanding double-plays. In the second inning Reno put the first two runners on but Arlis made an incredible diving catch on a popped up bunt and then doubled off the runner at second base. Later in the game in the eighth the Silver Sox put runners at the corners and with one out Mejia was able to start an inning ending double play by flipping a ground ball up the middle straight out of his glove to Tang who converted the twin killing.

Nate Melek (6-4) picked up the victory in lasting five innings while walking only one batter while Huizinga (4) recorded the save in a tight ninth inning. Joe Sergent was solid out of the bullpen as he posted three scoreless innings after Reno had made it a three run game. Mitch Arnold (1-1) received the loss after only lasting two and two third innings.

This series concludes Sunday August 24th at 1:35 PM (MDT) with Mac Suzuki (0-0) making his first start with the Snakes.

Calgary's final two regular season home games will be Wednesday August 27th and Thursday August 28th both at 7:05 PM (MDT) against the Edmonton Cracker-Cats.

On Thursday it will be "Theo Fleury Retirement Night". The former Flames great and Olympic Gold Medalist has decided to hang up the cleats after making his pro baseball debut with the Vipers on August 9th. Fleury is expected to get at least one more at bat before his retirement. He is currently hitting .333 in his professional baseball career. "We want to make this a special night for Theo', said Vipers president Peter Young. "So we're going to retire his number 14 jersey, at least until somebody else asks for it." In reality the Vipers will be auctioning off Fleury's jersey for their children's charity Snakes and Batters. It will also be awards night for the Vipers as they announce the team outstanding player awards for 2008.

The 2008 North Division Finals start on Tuesday September 2nd at 7:05 PM (MDT) with the Snakes travelling north to take on the Edmonton Cracker-Cats. Game 2 of the playoffs will be Wednesday September 3rd at 7:05 PM (MDT).

Friday September 5th at 7:05 PM (MDT) the Vipers will host Game 3 of the Golden Baseball League's North Division Finals. Games 4 & 5 will also be played at Foothills Stadium on Saturday September 6th at 5:05 PM (MDT) and Sunday September 7th at 1:35 PM (MDT) if necessary.

Tickets can be ordered by calling 277-BALL (2255). All games can be heard live online at www.calgaryvipers.com.

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



Golden Baseball League Stories from August 23, 2008


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