Vigilantes Make 5 Errors but Rally to Beat Pacific

The only good thing about Mission Viejo’s 7-6 victory over Pacific Thursday is that the game did not go into extra innings.

Those wanting to see Western Baseball League action in the worst way got their wish. The announced crowd of 1,253 at Saddleback College saw the teams combine for nine errors, five by the Vigilantes.

But the Vigilantes (22-21) did get their fifth straight victory over the Suns this season by overcoming a four-run deficit with 13 hits, including home runs by Michael Moore and Brad Gennaro. They also got some gritty relief pitching by Brett Grebe, who struck out five in 2 1/3 innings and saved starter Brent Hansen’s third victory.

“It was certainly an ugly game,” Vigilante Manager Buck Rodgers said. “I wish we had an excuse, like we’d been on a 48-hour bus ride.

“We haven’t played well at home this season, and we certainly didn’t tonight. But you have to feel good when you play a game like this and still find a way to win it.”

Pacific bolted to a 4-0 in the second inning with help from two Vigilante errors, and run-scoring hits by Jess Olivares and Kadir Villalona. Olivares stole home for another run.

Mission Viejo scored seven runs from the second through the sixth, but then Pacific (12-30) closed the gap with two runs in the seventh.

Before the game, the Vigilantes made a trade with Pacific, sending right-hander Mike Parisi (0-3, 4.74) to the Suns for outfielder Kendrick Davis (.262, 11 RBIs) and utility man Sam Voita (.158, one home run, four RBIs).

Should Parisi decide not to report--and he was reportedly balking at the trade--Vigilante General Manager Paula Pyers said the Suns would release Parisi and receive another Vigilante player to be named.

Voita, who attended Saddleback College, made his debut in the eighth after catcher Bodie Shepherd took a foul tip in the forehead, and had to leave.

Notes

Club president Pat Elster said Mission Viejo city officials presented Saddleback College officials with a new proposal for building a baseball stadium. Elster indicated it could be the breakthrough the team and city have been looking for.