Victoria Seals Landed In Orange County

June 11, 2009 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Victoria Seals News Release


Fullerton, CA - Set to close out a three-game series against the Orange County Flyers at Goodwin Field, the Victoria Seals played their first double-header of the year on Wednesday evening. In game one, the Flyers turned to former San Diego Padres' pitcher Brian Lawrence (0-0) to the mound, while Victoria sent veteran Travis Wade (0-2) to the hill.

For the second game in a row Orange County would open the scoring, this time in the bottom of the third inning. An infield single from Jimmy Rohen, followed by the second hit of the game from Damian Jackson put a pair of runners on. Trying to turn a double play on the very next pitch, Kyle Nichols hit Jackson in the back with the throw, allowing Rohen to cash in for a 1-0 Flyers' lead.

The Seals responded to tie the game in the top of the fifth frame, however, when Josh Arhart reached on an error to third basemen Julian Benavidez to lead off the inning, and scored fly out from Jamar Hill to even the score.

But again it would be Robert Fick who broke the deadlock in the bottom of the fifth, hitting his second home run in as many nights to put Orange County out front 2-1. Adding a third run for a little insurance in the sixth, the Flyers received a complete game, one-hit effort from Lawrence for a 3-1 win in the first half of the double-header.

Full boxscore: http://www.pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=1808

The second game of the evening would see Orange County send their second former major league pitcher to the mound in Adam Johnson (0-2) against Austin Bibens-Dirkx (2-0) of the Seals.

Back-to-back singles from Damian Jackson and Steve Boggs to open the game, followed by an RBI double from Robert Fick, would give the Flyers a 1-0 advantage through one innings' work.

Then a controversial play at the plate added a little fire to the contest, when a pitch from Johnson slipped past catcher Frank LoNigro, and Carlos Duncan tried to take home and tie the game for Victoria. With Johnson blocking the plate and the throw in time, it appeared that the Orange County pitcher dropped the baseball before the original call by the home plate umpire was out, but an immediate protest from the Victoria dugout and manager Darrell Evans prompted a conference which would eventually overturn the call. That decision cued a reaction from Flyers' manager Phil Nevin, Johnson and even Orange County mascot Coal Train, all of whom were eventually ejected by the umpires.

Regardless, the Flyers would regain their 2-1 lead in the bottom of the inning when a lead-off walk to Shane Buschini would score on a ground out from Danny Morrow.

Despite Bibens-Dirkx cruising on the mound for Victoria, notching a new club record with 10 strikeouts, the Seals' bats could not muster more than four hits in the game, and went down in order in the seventh and final frame. With the 3-1 victory, Orange County completes the sweep of the Seals, who lose three in a row for the second time this season.

Full boxscore: http://www.pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=1816

The Seals now return home and to Royal Athletic Park on Friday for game one against the North Division leading Calgary Vipers. Friday is also Viva Las Vegas Night at the ballpark, when one lucky fan will win a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. Get your tickets now at www.selectyourtickets.com, or call (250) 220-7777.



Golden Baseball League Stories from June 11, 2009


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