Victoria Seals Put the Squeeze on St. George

August 14, 2010 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Victoria Seals News Release


Victoria, BC - The Victoria Seals wrapped up a three game set with the St. George Roadrunners in a Friday evening contest, celebrating Tour de Rock Night at Royal Athletic Park. Victoria sent Jino Gonzalez (6-4) to the mound, while St. George countered with Todd McGee (0-0) in the series finale.

Victoria wasted little time, opening the scoring for the second time this series in the bottom of the first. After a throwing error put Wilver Perez on first, Matt Kavanaugh hit a single on a hit-and-run play to advance Perez into scoring position. Following that up was Terrence McClain who hit a sacrifice fly to centre field to give the home side a 1-0 lead after one inning of play.

After four strong innings from Gonzalez, the RoadRunners tied the score in the fifth frame. A double-steal sent Keenan Long home after Kavanaugh attempted to throw out Jason Cramer at second base. St. George then took their first lead of the contest in the top half of the sixth. Matt Huggins hit an RBI single, after a hit-and-run put Cody McMorris, and Nick Fitzgerald on the corners.

The Seals regained the lead in the sixth inning with two hits and two runs. McClain started things off by hitting a leadoff double, followed by a walk to Colin Moro, and a wild pitch from reliever Dave Liffers that advanced the base runners into scoring position. Brian Rios then hit an RBI single to level the score at 2-2. With Matt Edgecombe issued the intentional walk to load the bases, a suicide squeeze by Moro on a bunt from Jerry Madueno would give Victoria a 3-2 advantage.

Once again rallying to tie the game, the Roadrunners evened things up in the seventh frame. Cody McMorris hit an RBI single to score Chris Brown from third base, after a wild pitch by Seals relief pitcher Mike Koons advanced the base runner. The Roadrunners then took a 4-3 lead in the top of the ninth with a single by Cramer, a sacrifice bunt from Christian Garcia, a walk to McMorris, and an RBI single from Fitzgerald.

In the bottom of the ninth, Victoria would get a one out double from pinch-hitter Isaac Hess off of closer Lou Bernardi to kick-start a dramatic rally. With pinch-runner Anthony Pluta in for Hess, the Seals tied the game after a wild pitch and a broken-bat single courtesy of Wilver Perez.

Then, after Perez stole second base, Kavanaugh drew a free pass and McClain loaded the bases with a walk, the Seals took the game on a bizarre finish at home plate. Attempting another suicide squeeze, a missed bunt attempt by Tim Rodriguez was enough to fool St George catcher Long, who reacted as if it was a force-out at home plate only to have Perez steal his 55nd base of the season without a tag for the 5-4 walk-off win.

Seals closer Brandon Villafuerte improved to 5-0 on the season despite giving up the lead in the top of the ninth, while RoadRunners reliever Mike Roth was issued the loss. Wilver Perez was again the star at Royal Athletic Park, while Victoria fans raised over $4,000 for the Canadian Cancer Foundation - meaning the Seals will be dying their hair blue at Anthem Salon ahead of tomorrow night's game.

Full boxscore: http://www.pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid22834

The Seals and Outlaws now begin a pivotal four-game series in the chase for top spot in the North Division. Game one is tomorrow night at Royal Athletic Park, a 7:05 p.m. (PT) first pitch. Tickets are available by calling (250) 220-7777, or online via www.victoriaseals.ca. The contest will also be broadcast through the Seals website, beginning ten minutes before the scheduled first pitch! (Game story written by Adam McKinnon).



Golden Baseball League Stories from August 14, 2010


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