Thanks to Cesar Rodriguez for this info:

2007 Vancouver Exhibitions –

[VANCOUVER, B.C.] – We were in Vancouver this weekend, hoping to play two double headers with Vancouver on Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately the Pacific Northwest weather was not kind to us and Saturday was completely rained out. We were able get two good games in on Sunday morning and a shortened practice third game before having to leave.

In the first game, our hitters were very disciplined and while facing Nick Underhill, produced an 8-0 lead until late in the game. With Lucas Mata making his debut for us (and his first weekend of work), we let him finish the game and Vancouver mounted a bit of a comeback to finish at 8-3.

Mata pitched extremely well for his first session and while we allowed him 113 pitches this first game (a lot more than we usually look for in an early outing), we felt the work would be good for him. He tired a bit but certainly showed why he was one of the best in the world.

In the second game, we hit the ball well early and jumped to an early 3-0 lead off of Rick Smith. With Sean Whitten in the circle, we were pretty confident about the lead but Sean struggled a little with his drop ball and we didn’t play as sharply behind him as he needed at that time. Sean came out after 5 (90 pitches) at 3-3 and Tony Peeples relieved. In the 7th, Vancouver scratched out the go ahead run and we took the defeat.

We’d hoped to get a 3rd game in but due to flights and timing, we knew it would be shortened an our lineup would be compromised. We began the game and jumped out to a 5-0 lead off of Derek Mayson with all of our troops in place. Tony Peeples started and gave up a couple of runs and once had reached his pitch count (combined with the first appearance) we gave Mata the ball again (to get his work in), at 5-3. Vancouver brought in Underhill shortly thereafter.

In the 3rd inning we lost 4 players to flights, so with Potskin playing 2nd, Rodriguez SS, Whitten in RF and both Mata and Whitten hitting; we carried on. (We were even using coach Shick to run for the pitchers if they got on base). Vancouver rallied to tie the game and then we took the lead 7-5. In the final (5th) inning, Mata had two out with a runner on 3rd. A wild pitch from a tired Mata scored one for a 7-6 score. Then with a 2-2 count and two out, Doug Allen from Vancouver hit a home run to tie it up. Mata then got the 3rd out and we ended the event with a tie.

All in all, our pitchers got their work in, and while they were not as sharp as they will be, they just need to continue to get innings in order to get there – we know our pitching will be a real strength for us. Our hitters looked good. We scored 9 runs in the first two games against very strong pitchers and we incorporated some new plays and systems. We’re pleased that our work process is on track. We next play in Portland on the 23rd & 24th and will be missing a few players (Lalonde, Devine, Mata, Evely and perhaps Crawford) but expect to be strong contenders and continue our work on preparing for the WT.

Cesar Rodriguez
CROD@SOCALBOMBERS.COM

and from Conrad Margolis of the Vancouver Grey Sox, courtesy of Al’s Fastball:

Vancouver Grey Sox and SoCal Bombers split weekend series

The Vancouver Grey Sox and Southern California Bombers split a Sr. Men’s fastpitch triple-header on Sunday, June 10 at South Memorial Park. SoCal won the 1st game 8-3, the Grey Sox overcame an early 3-0 deficit to win the 2nd game 4-3, and in the 3rd game Vancouver erased a 5-0 SoCal lead to tie the Bombers 7-7 after 5 innings when the game had to be called due to SoCal travel commitments. Saturday’s scheduled doubleheader was rained out.

Game 1

SoCal 8
Vancouver 3

W.P. Lucas Mata
L.P. Nick Underhill

Game 2

Vancouver4
SoCal 3

W.P. Rick Smith
L.P. Tony Peeples, in relief of Sean Whitten

Game 3

Vancouver 7
SoCal 7

Vancouver – Mayson started, relieved by Underhill to start 3rd; SoCal – Peeples started, relieved by Mata with 1 out, bases loaded, and the score 5-3 SoCal in 3rd;

The Grey Sox record is now 12-4-1. Vancouver is off the weekend of June 16-17 due to the series between the Canadian National Team and New Zealand.

Next action for the Grey Sox is the Rose Cup in Portland, June 23-24.

Conrad Margolis
Vancouver Grey Sox
www.vancouvergreysox.com
604-802-8921 (cell)