Victoria Seals Sunk In Series Finale
July 12, 2010 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Victoria Seals News Release
Hoping to polish off their first-ever visit to Hawaii with a series win, the Victoria Seals wrapped up a six-game set against Na Koa Ikaika Maui on Sunday evening. Sending Jason Kershner (5-2) back to the mound for his second start of the series, Victoria took on Gregorio Martinez (1-4) who got the start for the home side.
Falling into a big hole early, the Seals watched Maui grab a 2-0 first inning lead when a double from Gered Mochizuki set up a two-run home run off the bat of Keoni Ruth, his seventh of the season. Continuing to roll in the bottom of the second, Na Koa Ikaika doubled their advantage when a single courtesy of Jowen Murray-Thornton preceded another two-run shot, this time from Tim Battle, to make it a 4-0 game.
Before the inning was out, Fehlandt Lentini singled home Rex Rundgren after his earlier triple, then advanced to second on a ground out, stole third and crossed home plate for a 6-0 Maui lead on an error to Seals catcher Matt Kavanaugh.
Padding the score with another run in the third inning of play, Na Koa Ikaika staked a commanding 7-0 advantage - despite an outfield assist from Terrence McClain earlier in the frame - when Mark Okano reached on a single and eventually scored on another Victoria error, this time to third basemen Brian Rios.
Not to be deterred, the Seals answered back with a rally attempt in the top of inning number four. After both McClain and Rios were hit-by-pitches to lead-off the inning, an RBI single from Matt Edgecombe put the Seals on the board and Mike Mooney made it a 7-2 game with a run-scoring base hit of his own.
The next batter, Colin Moro, loaded the bases with a base-on-balls before Edgecombe scored on a wild pitch and Mooney took advantage of an overthrow from Na Koa Ikaika catcher Phil Avlas to pull the Seals within three. Capping off a five-run fourth inning for the Seals, Wilver Perez cashed Moro with a RBI single, leaving the score at 7-5 through four complete.
After three quick innings of scoreless baseball, Victoria made it a one-run game in the top of the eighth inning, using a base hit off the bat of Moro to give pinch-hitter Josh Arhart the chance for an RBI single to make it a 7-6 game. Turning around to restore a two-run lead, however, Maui put the game away in the bottom of the inning when Tim Battle reached on a fielder's choice, stole second base and later scored on a suicide squeeze, making it 8-6 Maui.
A single from Perez would be all the Seals could muster in the ninth inning against Na Koa Ikaika closer Jamie Vermilyea, falling 8-6 in the series finale from Iron Maehara Stadium and splitting the six-game series against Maui.
Jason Kershner took the loss for the Seals, giving up five earned runs in just two inning of work, while Gregorio Martinez improved to 2-4 with the win. A pair of RBI's from both Keoni Ruth and Tim Battle led the way for Maui, while Wilver Perez again had three hits in a losing effort for Victoria.
Full boxscore: http://www.pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=12833
Victoria will now take a three days off to mark the 2010 International Minor League All-Star Festivities, including the Annual Home Run Derby slated for 5:00 p.m. (PT) tonight. The All-Star Game is Thursday evening, a 6:00 p.m. (PT) start time from Tucson, Arizona.
The Seals will finally return home on July 23 to kick off a six-game homestand at Royal Athletic Park. Single game and season tickets for the 2010 campaign are now on sale, available through the Victoria Seals office. Call (250) 220-7777 for more information, or to book your seat today!
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