Vipers down Fargo 7-5

Published on June 11, 2006 under Northern League (NL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


The Calgary Vipers got a two-run single from Jason Colson in the top of the seventh and a record-breaking performance by the pitching staff to take the final game of a three-game series against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks by a score of 7-5. The win was the first for the Vipers against the RedHawks this season and improves the club to 10-12 on the year.

Calgary reliever Brad Rogers (3-0) earned his third win of the year after taking over for starter Clint Hosford in the fifth inning. Jon Huizinga pitched the final two innings to pick up his second save of the season.

Hosford, Rogers and Huizinga combined to set a new Calgary Vipers' record by striking out 16 RedHawks batters on the afternoon. The previous high for strikeouts in a game was 13.

After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, Calgary jumped ahead in the top of the second when Colson slugged his third homerun of the year, a two-run shot off RedHawks' starter Brandon Goltz to put the Vipers up 2-1.

Colson had a big day at the plate, going 3-3 with a homerun and four RBI's.

The RedHawks tied it in the bottom of the third when Richard Austin singled in Joe Mathis for his second RBI of the game. Austin led the way on Sunday for Fargo, picking up two hits and two RBI's.

Calgary's offense got to Goltz again in the fifth inning, taking advantage of a bases loaded situation and scoring three times in the inning. After Drew Miller walked to lead off the inning, Sam Rosario reached on an error and Nelson Castro had a bunt single to load the bases. Manabu Kuramochi then hit into a fielder's choice that retired Castro but scored Miller to make it 3-2.

Carlos Duncan then hit an RBI single that scored Rosario and McEachran drilled an RBI double off Goltz that brought Kuramochi in to make it 5-2.

Vipers' starter Clint Hosford got into some trouble in the fifth inning as he gave up a double and a walk before Eric Kofler went deep with his sixth homerun of the year to tie the game 5-5. The long-ball chased Hosford from the game.

The game remained tied until the top of the seventh when Duncan singled and McEachran doubled, setting the table for Colson. The Vipers designated hitter came through in a big way, smacking a two-run single off Josh Gray to put Calgary up 7-5.

Huizinga then shut the RedHawks offense down in the final two innings to earn the save. Calgary's closer struck out five batters and didn't allow a hit as he polished off the win.

Calgary returns home Monday night to take on the Edmonton Cracker-Cats in the first game of a six-game homestand that will also see the Schaumburg Flyers come to town. Monday's game goes at 7:05 PM at Foothills Stadium.

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Northern League Stories from June 11, 2006


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