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Vipers Sign Former First Round Pick

May 28, 2009 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


With the release of Carlos Duncan earlier today the Calgary Vipers wasted little time announcing a replacement as they have signed left-handed hitting first baseman Clint Johnston. With only two left-hander hitters on the team, manager, Morgan Burkhart felt it was imperative to bring in another leftie and also one that could help provide some power into the lineup to replace the hole left by Duncan.

Last year Johnston played for Southern Maryland of the Independent Atlantic League and hit .305 with ten home runs, 54 runs batted in, 63 runs scored along with 64 walks for a .394 on-base percentage in his 120 games played. Two years ago the Nashville, Tennessee resident played for both the Edmonton Cracker-Cats and the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks against the Vipers in the Northern League. In 46 games with Edmonton he hit .374 with 29 RBI. Clint was a 1st Round, 15th Overall selection by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1998 amateur entry draft.

The Vipers are headed out on their first road trip of the season starting, tomorrow, Friday May 29th at 8:05 PM MDT against the Chico Outlaws. It will be a first-place showdown as the Vipers and Outlaws are currently atop the Golden Baseball League's North Division with identical 6-1 records. Hideki Nagasaka (1-0) will start for Calgary against Andrew Alvarado (0-0). Nagasaka won his first start of the season going five innings and giving up five runs while striking out three. Alvarado picked up a no decision in his first start after going six innings and allowing six runs on nine hits while striking out seven.

Game two of the series is on Saturday May 30th at 8:05 PM MDT and will feature Erik Dessau (1-0) against Jo Matumoto (0-0). Dessau picked up a complete game victory in his first outing in a rain shortened five inning affair where he gave up three runs on five hits while striking out three. Matumoto took a no decision in his first appearance after giving up four runs in four and two-third innings while striking out four.

This three game series will wrap up Sunday May 31st at 7:05 PM MDT with Joe Sergent (1-0) toeing the rubber against Evan White (1-0). Sergent has made two starts now and has given up only one earned run in 11.2 innings while walking only two and striking out six. White meanwhile went all nine innings for the win in his one and only start giving up three earned runs on ten hits while walking only one and striking out nine.

Calgary plays the back half of this six game road trip on Monday June 1st, Tuesday June 2nd, and Wednesday June 3rd all at 8:00 PM MDT against the Yuma Scorpions.

The Snakes return to Calgary and Foothills Stadium Friday June 5th at 7:05 PM MDT to open a seven game in six day home stand against the 2008 Golden Baseball League Champion Orange County Flyers for four games and then three games against the St. George RoadRunners.

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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Golden Baseball League Stories from May 28, 2009


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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