Toros Walkoff In To The GBL Championships
September 8, 2009 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Tucson Toros News Release
Tucson, AZ - The Tucson Toros swept the St. George Roadrunners in back-to-back games Monday, including an 11th inning walkoff 5-4 win to advance to the GBL Championship Series beginning Wednesday in Tucson at 7:00 p.m. The Toros will host the Calgary Vipers at Hi Corbett Field for Games 1 & 2 of the best of five game series on Wednesday and Thirsty Thursday!
Tucson faced a must win situation in the first contest to even force a Game 5. The game was a continuation of Sunday's contest that was halted by heavy rains with the score tied 1-1 in the middle of the 4th inning. Tucson attacked first after play resumed, plating 1 in the 6th inning and 3 in the 7th inning thanks in part to a 2-run double by Rightfielder Andre Marshall to make the game 5-1. The 4-run advantage was more than enough for Toros righty Lorenzo Barcelo, who blazed through the Roadrunners lineup for 4 scoreless innings while fanning 4. Reid Price came on in the 9th to lock down the 5-1 victory and force a decisive Game 5.
Barcello was credited with the win in the first game, and was efficient enough to come back and start the second half of the twin billing, continuing his dominance over St. George this postseason. Lorenzo pitched 5 innings of 1-run ball in his second game of the day, and was in line for his second win of the day when he departed. Tucson rocked St. George ace Raymar Diaz for 4 runs, knocking him out of the game in the 4th frame with the Toros leading 4-1.
The Roadrunners battled back though, scoring twice in the 6th and once in the 7th to tie the game 4-4, a tie that would stand all the way into the bottom of the 11th. In the 11th Skip Adams and Junior Spivey both singled to left to open the inning. After Dustin Yount flew out to center, Centerfielder Lino Garcia stepped to the plate. A full 4 hours and 12 minutes after the second game began, and 6 hours and 9 minutes after the first action of the day, Garcia drilled an RBI walkoff single to left allowing Adams to slide in safely to seal the 5-4 win and Tucson's spot in the GBL Championship Series in their inaugural season.
Tickets will go on sale for both Wednesday's and Thursday's games on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at regular season prices. Game 2 will be a bonus Thirsty Thursday, featuring $1 beverages for two hours after the first pitch. The series will continue in Calgary for Game 3 on Saturday and Games 4 & 5 if necessary on Sunday and Monday respectively.
Golden Baseball League Stories from September 8, 2009
- Vipers to face Toros - Calgary Vipers
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
- Toros Walkoff In To The GBL Championships - Tucson Toros
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