Seal Bats Come Up Big in Series Win Against Capitals
The Victoria Seals will go into the 2009 GBL all-star break on a high note following a series victory on the road against their division rivals the Edmonton Capitals this past weekend.
The Seals, who have come up short on the offensive side during some stretches of the first half, didn't seem to have that problem this weekend as the team exploded for 29 runs over the three game set.
Following losing two of three to Yuma in the final series of a 10 game home stand last Thursday, Victoria let a game slip away in the series opener on Friday, as the team led 6-4 going into the bottom of the eighth, only to let the Capitals score two runs in each of the final two innings to lose 8-6.
Out for vengeance on Saturday, Victoria came out hitting as the team led 6-0 by the third inning eventually taking the game 12-4. Seals Catcher Joshua Arhart and DH Terry Mermer both homered for the team as Roberto Sotolongo picked up his second win of the season going.
In the rubber match on Sunday, Victoria sent ace Isaac Hess to the mound as he hoped to pick up win number eight on the season. The Seals once again scored early and often as three runs in both the first and fourth innings led to an 11-5 victory. Wilver Perez hit his sixth home run of season along with Joshua Arhart who hit one for the second game in a row. With the win Hess goes into the all-star break with an 8-0 record and has to be considered a front runner to win GBL pitcher of the year.
The team is now off until Thursday for the GBL all-star break which gives them time to both reflect on the first half and look ahead to the remainder of the season. Victoria has a lot to be pleased with in the first half, such as the miraculous pitching of Isaac Hess, the steady bats of Jamar Hill and Joshua Arhart and the great fan support at Royal Athletic Park.
Still their are improvements to be made in the second half as the team still finds itself in the cellar of the GBL North Division. If the team is to make a serious run at this year's playoffs they will have to put together a lengthy winning streak which is something the team wasn't able to produce in the first half of the season.
Victoria will once again take on the Edmonton Capitals at Royal Athletic Park to start the second half in a four game set beginning on Thursday.
