Visalia Oaks vs. Stockton Ports
June 15, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Carolina Courage News Release
Visalia (34-35, Third in the Northern Division) is hosting Stockton (41-28, First in the Northern Division) today in the final game of the first half. The Oaks' four game winning streak was snapped last night with the Ports 5-1 victory. Stockton leads the season series 8-4. The Posts have clinched the Northern Division first half title and a berth in the California League playoffs, which begin in September.
Today's Promotions: It is Visalia Times Delta Family Sunday. Fans can purchase four Grandstand Reserved tickets and a program for $15 at any Sunday home game this season with a coupon printed in the weekend edition of the Times Delta. This is a $26 value. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Oaks ticket office for future Sunday home games.
For Father's Day: All fathers and their children will be invited on the field before the game as today's Visalia Medical Clinic Baseball Buddies Team. Kids and their dads can also run the bases after the game.
RHP Gerrit Simpson (4-5, 4.44 ERA) is pitching this afternoon for Visalia and has won his last three consecutive starts, including last Tuesday's 10-0 win at High Desert. Simpson pitched eight shutout innings against the Mavericks. It was the first time the Mavericks had been shutout at home singe April 22, 1999. Simpson has pitched against Stockton only once this season and gave up seven runs in five innings at Billy Hebert Field on May 14.
RHP Kelvin Jimenez (4-0, 1 save, 4.05 ERA) is pitching against Visalia for only the third time. It's his first start against Visalia, but his ninth start overall. Jimenez is part of the Ports eight-man starting rotation in which pitchers alternate between starts and relief appearances. RHP John Barnett (2-7, 3 saves, 4.30 ERA) is scheduled to make a relief appearance today. Jimenez has allowed just two runs in nine innings on the hill against Visalia this season.
Lucky 13: Visalia first baseman Ryan Shealy's hitting streak was extended to 13 games last night with a single in the first inning. It is the longest hitting streak for any Oak this season.
Better than Last Year? A win today will put the Oaks at 35-35 in the first half, one game better than last season's 34-36 first half finish as an Oakland Athletics affiliate.
Better than Central Valley: When the Oaks were affiliated with the Colorado Rockies in 1993 and 1994 and known as the Central Valley Rockies, the two teams finished well below .500 in each first half. Central Valley was 26-42 in 1993 and 28-40 in 1994.
In Green: The Oaks are 4-5 wearing green uniform tops this season.
On Sunday: Visalia's loss to Modesto on June 1 snapped a streak of seven consecutive Sunday matinee home games won by the Oaks.
First Half Champs? The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, who could clinch a the Southern Division's first half title with a win today at San Jose, will be the Oaks opponent on Tuesday at Recreation Park. The three game series will be the first of the second half for both teams and will be the only trip to Visalia for the Quakes this season. Below are the expected pitching match ups for the series:
Rancho Cucamonga Visalia
Tuesday, 6:35 p.m. RHP Ervin Santana (6-1, 2.61 ERA) vs. LHP Nick Webb (2-0, 4.09 ERA)
Wednesday, 6:35 p.m. RHP Bryan Williams (2-1, 4.85 ERA) vs. RHP Mike Esposito (6-3, 3.72 ERA)
Thursday, 6:35 p.m. RHP Steve Shell (6-4, 2.91 ERA) vs. LHP Jeff Francis (3-7, 5.97 ERA)
The Radisson Pre Game Show begins at 6:35 p.m. prior to all three games on AM 1270 KJUG.
• Discuss this story on the Women's United Soccer Association message board...
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from June 15, 2003
- Visalia Oaks vs. Stockton Ports - Carolina Courage
- Carolina Courage Week in Review - Carolina Courage
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.
