Calgary Vipers Defeat Edmonton Cracker-Cats 8-1 to Advance to GBL Finals

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com - MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com -The Calgary Vipers got a third consecutive outstanding pitching performance for their 8-1 victory over the Edmonton Cracker-Cats at Foothills Stadium in Calgary, Alberta. Starter Nate Melek (1-0) was terrific tonight throwing seven innings and giving up only four hits for no earned runs while also striking out eight batters. At the plate Jorge Mejia led the way going three-for-three with a homerun, two runs scored, and two walks. With the victory the Snakes swept the Cracker-Cats and now move onto the Golden Baseball League's Championship Series.

For the third time in the series the Vipers opened the scoring as in the bottom of the third Jorge Mejia doubled, Carlos Duncan reached on a throwing error from third baseman Jose Morban, and Felix Jose walked to load the bases. Drew Miller knocked in Mejia with a fielder's choice and on the same play shortstop Jonathan Castro threw the ball away on the double-play attempt for an error which resulted in Duncan also scoring for the 2-0 lead.

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Before the top of the fourth inning started the game entered a rain delay which lasted an hour and 15 minutes.

Calgary added a run to the lead in the bottom of the fourth as Richard Austin doubled, moved to third base on a Patrick Arlis single, and scored on a Colin Moro sacrifice fly for the 3-0 advantage.

Another run was scored an inning later in the bottom of the fifth by the Vipers as Miller singled, moved to third base on a Kit Pellow base hit, and scored on a Austin run batted in fielder's choice for the 4-0 score.

Edmonton got onto the scoreboard in the top of the sixth inning as Chris Van Rossum reached on a throwing error by second baseman Mejia, moved to third base on a Juan Diaz single, and scored on a Jose Valdez RBI fielder's choice for the 4-1 game.

Mejia grabbed that run right back for the Snakes in the bottom of the sixth with a solo homerun for his second long ball of the series. Duncan followed by walking, moving to third on a throwing error by pitcher Joel Schmal after he fielded a Felix Jose groundball, and Duncan scored on a Miller RBI fielder's choice for the 6-1 lead.

For the fifth straight inning the Vipers scored in the bottom of the seventh as Nelson Castro, Moro, and Mejia all walked to load the bases. Duncan plated one run with a sacrifice fly and Jose cashed another with a base hit for the 8-1 advantage.

Dallas Mahan and Jon Huizinga both threw a scoreless inning out of the bullpen to complete the game. Jorge DePaula (0-1) was tagged with the loss in giving up two runs in three innings.

The Vipers now move on to the Golden Baseball League's Best of Five Championship Series. Calgary will play either the Long Beach Armada or the Orange County Flyers and the series will start in Calgary at Foothills Stadium on Tuesday September 9th and Wednesday September 10th both at 7:05 PM (MDT). Games three, four, and five will be played on the road Friday September 12th, and if necessary on Saturday September 13th, and Sunday September 14th.

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