Stevenson Lifts Outlaws
Published on June 19, 2011 under North American League (NAmL)
Chico Outlaws News Release
CHICO- The nearly full-capacity crowd was witness to a great game, and perhaps an even better story of human perseverance. The little known lefty, Jason Stevenson, came out of nowhere to aid an ailing Outlaws pitching staff. After the departure of starter Jim Paduch (acquired by the Tampa Bay Rays), the Outlaws staff has been in dire need of another arm. They may have found it during Saturday night's home-opener.
Jason Stevenson, a local product out of Redding, CA, put on the best pitching performance to-date by any Outlaw. Despite being out of baseball for two years, Stevenson set an Outlaws season high with 7.2 innings pitched. In his seven and 2/3 innings, he used a heavy dose of off-speed stuff to unbalance the Calgary hitters. The Vipers looked lost at times; they may need to locate a map of Nettleton Stadium before Sunday's doubleheader because they couldn't find home plate all night long.
Just one Viper would reach third base Saturday night. After a Mark Michael strikeout, Johny Kaplan hit a fly ball to right, OF Jake Rife immediately broke in after contact only to realize a second later that the ball was waiting for him near the right field fence. Kaplan took advantage of the misplay by hightailing it to third base, which would prove to be the only significant pressure Stevenson would feel all night. With the pressure on, Stevenson closed out the inning by striking out the side; leaving Kaplan and the best scoring chance of the night for Calgary stranded on third.
The scoring would start and end in the sixth inning. After two straight singles to lead off the inning by Brian McFall and Chris Lubanski, Al Quintana laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners in scoring position with only one out. The Vipers would intentionally walk Jake Rife to load the bases and set up the potential double play. However, the next batter, Adam Buschini, had different plans; he lifted the ball to deep right, sending McFall home from third on the sacrifice fly. The small ball approach proved to be successful for the Outlaws, scoring the lone run of the ballgame.
The Outlaws will play two Sunday night against the Vipers. The first game of the doubleheader is set to start at 5 pm, with the second game scheduled to begin a half hour after the first game ends.
If you can't make it to the games, be sure to watch us on Justin.tv. The Outlaws are proud to be one of the few Independent baseball teams to provide live high-quality internet streaming of all their games.
North American League Stories from June 19, 2011
- Holleran Wins Return - Calgary Vipers
- Stevenson Lifts Outlaws - Chico Outlaws
- Fielders Persevere through Travel Issues to Win 15-Inning Game in Maui - Lake County Fielders
- Metheny Muscles Caps Past Scorpions - Edmonton Capitals
- Michael Start Spoiled - Calgary Vipers
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