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Vipers Advance to 'Ship with Ninth-Inning Rally

September 5, 2009 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


Trailing by one run headed into the bottom of the ninth inning the Calgary Vipers scored twice to defeat the Edmonton Capitals 8-7 at Foothills Stadium in Calgary, Alberta. With the dramatic victory the Vipers win the best of five North Division Championship Series 3-1 and advance to the Golden Baseball League Championship Series for a second consecutive year. In the bottom of the ninth Wilver Perez led off the inning with a solo home run to tie the game, Colin Moro singled with one out, and with two outs Jorge Mejia ended the game and series with a run batted in double. Mejia went three-for-five on the night and leads the Snakes in playoff batting average at .526.

Evan Greusel (1-0) was terrific on the mound for the Vipers coming out of the bullpen and throwing three and two-third innings without giving up a run or walk. Greusel came into the game and retired the first nine batters he faced including two strikeouts before giving up his only two hits of the appearance. Working on three days rest Joe Sergent started and threw a gutsy five and a third innings to hand the ball to Greusel. Jason Pearson (0-1) took the loss in giving both runs in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Edmonton picked up in the top of the first inning right where they left off last night as Jorge Cortes and Kevin House singled, Darryl Brinkley hit a three run homer, Jose Morban singled, and Joey Gomes and Chad Ehrnsberger both doubled for runs batted in and a 5-0 lead.

Calgary responded in the bottom of the second as Drew Miller singled, Colin Moro reached on a fielder's choice, Rick Guarno was hit by a pitch, Jorge Mejia singled to load the bases, Fehlandt Lentini cleared the sacks with a three-run triple, and Nelson Castro plated a run with double for a 5-4 score.

With two outs in the bottom of the fourth frame the Vipers tied the game at 5-5 as Castro tripled, Sergio Pedroza and Kit Pellow walked to load the bases while Wilver Perez also received a base on balls for a RBI.

The Capitals quickly grabbed the lead back at 6-5 as Gomes hit a pop-fly home run to lead off the next half inning.

In the top of the sixth inning Edmonton added a run to their lead as Matt Ceriani walked, advanced to second base on a Cortes sacrifice bunt, and scored on a House RBI single for a 7-5 advantage.

Calgary got within one run at 7-6 in the bottom of the eighth as Mejia singled, Lentini reached on a fielder's choice, stole second base, and scored on a Pedroza two-out RBI double.

The Vipers have now qualified for the Golden Baseball League Championship Series and will play the winner of the South Division Championship Series between the St. George RoadRunners and Tucson Toros. The Finals start on Tuesday September 8th and Wednesday September 9th in either St. George, Utah or Tucson, Arizona.

Calgary will host Game 3 of the G.B.L. Championship Series at Foothills Stadium on Friday September 11th at 7:05 PM MDT. If necessary Games 4 & 5 of the Finals will also be held at Foothills Stadium on Saturday September 12th at 4:05 PM MDT and Sunday September 13th at 3:05 PM MDT.

Tickets can be purchased over the phone at 403-277-2255 or by stopping in at the Vipers Ticket Office at 2255 Crowchild Trail N.W. All games can be heard live online at www.calgaryvipers.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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