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 Viper News: Vipers vs. Corona - Peoria, AZ - July 2002 |
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Vipers vs. Corona - Peoria, AZ - July 2002
In one of the best games the Vipers have ever played........
they defeated the Corona Wolverines at the Super Series Nationals.
The Vipers first met the Wolverines on a cold and wet December road trip to Southern California. Weather conditions, field conditions, and tournament conditions were less than favorable to the Vipers New Years weekend 2002.
The Vipers made a few changes to their roster and looked forward to meeting Corona again. This time under favorable weather conditions and on a more neutral playing field.
The Vipers wish came true in the first playoff game of the Super Series Nationals. It was a classic game. Both teams left the field with a new level of respect for one another. No longer bitter rivals. Only talented young men, dedicated coaches, and proud parents walked out of the stadium that night.
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Game Highlights
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In what was called "one of the most exciting games of the Super Series Nationals" the VIPERS defeated the Corona Wolverines to advance into the winners bracket of the Super Series Nationals. It was a classic battle of 2 well matched teams who ended the game with a new level of respect for each other. The game had everything you could want homeruns, bases loaded strikeouts, key hits, great defense, clutch pitching, great coaching, and extra innings. There was even a field change when it became to dark to play on the practice fields. The all important 8th inning was played under the lights at Padres field #2. A game that involved every player on the roster. It was a classic!
Pitching for the VIPERS were Nate Garcia, Dan Dyer and Alex Kalogrides. Catching for the VIPERS was Tommy Medica.
Corona came out swinging in the top of the first inning. They quickly scored three runs on 3 extra base hits and the VIPERS found themselves in a hole. Josh Isais made a nice dig at 1st base for the 1st out of the inning. Kyle Mosbrucker ran down a ball in deep centerfield for the 2nd out and David Gonzales grabbed a ball in right field for the 3rd out of the inning.
The VIPERS answered back in the bottom half of the inning. With 1 out Tommy Medica had a base hit and stole 2nd base. Alex Kalogrides then stepped in and crushed an RBI triple to left for the 1st VIPERS run of the game. Paul Shively brought Alex in with an RBI sac fly to make it 3-2 Corona. David Abraham then stepped to the plate and crushed a 2 out Solo homerun over the fence in right field. The game was tied at 3-3 after one complete inning.
In the 2nd inning, pitcher Nate Garcia held the Wolverines scoreless. That allowed the VIPERS to take the lead for the first time. Garcia drew a walk and was then sacraficed over to second. Josh Isais then stepped in a cracked an RBI double to center for the VIPERS go ahead run.
The VIPERS held onto the lead in the 3rd inning. Tight VIPERS defense was the key in the inning. Yasser Clor snagged a hard hit ball to third and turned a 5-4-3 VIPERS double play. That was followed by a pop-up to shallow left field that shortstop Paul Shively ran down to end the inning.
A scarry moment for the VIPERS in the bottom of the 3rd, Paul Shively drew a lead off walk, got to first base and started to wobble. He left the game, and spent the rest of the night next to the ice chest. Heat exhaustion and dehydration were big factors to contend with in this tournament. The VIPERS did not score in the bottom of the 3rd.
With the VIPERS concerned about their fallen teamate, Corona jumped back into the lead. They scored 2 runs in the top of the 4th to go up 5-4. Pitcher Nate Garcia then made 2 terrific fielding plays off of the mound to get runners out at home and 1st base. VIPERS shortstop Dan Dyer then made a great play to end the Corona rally.
The VIPERS were unable to score in their half of the 4th and Corona scored yet another run in the top of the 5th to go up 6-4.
A walk turned into a run for the VIPERS in the bottom of the 5th. Aggressive heads up base running by Julian Flores helped the VIPERS produce their 5th run. Julian drew the walk and later stole 2nd base. On an attempted pickoff at 2nd base, the throw went into centerfield, Julian hustled to third and when the throw went wide he scrambled home. The play at the plate was close and the Corona catcher dropped the ball. The score was now 6-5 Corona.
The VIPERS defense held tight in the 6th. David Abraham made a nice play at 2nd base. Shortstop Nate Garcia got a runner out from deep in the hole at short and VIPERS pitcher Dan Dyer left the last Corona hitter standing at the plate looking. A huge K for the VIPERS!
The VIPERS rallied and went ahead in the bottom of the 6th. Dan Dyer blooped in a base hit and stole 2nd base. After a walk was issued to David Abraham, Kyle Mosbrucker laid down a bunt for a base hit. On the throw to first base, Dan Dyer came home for a VIPERS run. David Gonzales then stepped in and hit a hard ground ball for the go ahead VIPERS run.
In the top of the 7th Corona tied the game at 7-7. Jon Karcich made a nice play at 3rd base for the first out. Alex Kalogrides came in to pitch for the VIPERS and got 2 HUGE K's with Corona runners on 2nd and 3rd base.
In the bottom of the 7th, with the sun setting quickly, and 1 out, Josh Isais drew a walk. Julian Flores followed with a hit on error leaving the VIPERS with runners on 1st and 2nd. Both runners advanced on a pass ball. VIPERS runners in scoring position with 1 out. Tommy Medica was then intentionally walked to load the bases. Then the Corona defense stepped up. On two hard hit balls the Corona pitcher and shortstop threw home for 2 force outs at the plate. The Corona catcher held his ground and made the plays.
With a tie game, everyone packed up their gear, loaded it on the cart and headed for Padres #2 and the lights. After a 20 minute pause the game resumed. Extra innings, tie score, winner moves into the winners bracket.
Corona took the lead in the top of the 8th, scoring 1 run on 2 hits.
Down by a run, the VIPERS were not ready to quit. They fought back. David Abraham led off with a base hit to left field. Kyle Mosbrucker then laid down a sacrafice bunt. The bunt went down the 1st base line and the Corona fielders bunt rotation left 3rd base open. David hustled his way to 3rd on the throw to 1st. Nate Garcia then stepped in and hit a ball to right field. The ball went over the right fielders head and a VIPERS run crossed the plate. Nate hustled his way to 2nd. Nates hit tied the game at 8-8 with 1 out and a runner at 2nd base. Andrew Kim came in to replace Nate at 2nd base. Andrew showed tremendous heads up base running and scampered down to third base on a Corona pass ball.
Extra innings, tie game, runner on 3rd, 1 out...Suicide squeeze! Andrew starts walking towards home, completely unnoticed by the Corona pitcher. Andrew was halfway down the line when David Gonzales steps in and squares to bunt. The ball rolls down the first base line, perfect execution! Seconds later, Andrew crosses the plate, VIPERS WIN!
What a game!
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