Panthers 1st Sim Write-Up

Current Record: 4-1 Power Ranking: #3 AVG: .314 ERA: 2.80

• The Panthers were two runs away from an opening home series sweep of division rival Pocatello. Vista doubled (22) the amount runs of the Boccabellas scored (11). The best game of the series for the Panthers was on Tuesday when Tim Welply went 9 strong inning giving up only 2 hits with only 101 pitches. Rich Anderson and Sam Treadway both hit 2-run homers with Treadway also hitting a 2-run scoring double to round out the Panthers scoring in front of an almost sold out crowd of 39,825 at Blackberry Field in Vista. 

• In addition to Welply's standout performance, three other starters held their own. Julio Lopez went 6 innings in the opener, giving up 1 earned with 4 strikeouts sot help lead the Panthers to an Opening Day victory. Sophomore Star Warren Piniella followed with an 8 inning performance giving up 3 earning a win and new veteran arrival Carlos Castillo did the same at Haddonfield to hand the Hackers their first loss of the season. Donald Brewer, brought over from Sunnyvale in free agency received the only loss of the first 5 games, by giving up 5 runs in 7 innings, all of them coming in the 6th and 7th. 
• Butch Hogan got a quick start to the season collecting 10 hits in 22 ABs with 4 SB's only 2 K's and 1 HR. Sam Treadway made a quick statement for more playing time with 6 RBI and 2HR in only 7 ABs. Veteran addition Wilbert Perkins had a strong start with 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3R and 3BB in only 3 games of action and last year's team MVP Ivan Rosales turned in a solid performance from his new spot in the lineup, with 5 hits, 4 RBI and no strikeouts in 12 ABs enjoying time away from the leadoff role.
• The Panthers fans were more excited this year than ever before for this team as Fan Interest rating have reached 100 for the first time since Vista's start in the VBL. Time will tell if this team will live up to the hype but it definitely doesn't hurt to have a 3-1 early series lead over the one division rival everyone has pegged to win the Beeblebrox Division this year. 

Next Sim: 2 Games @ Haddonfield Hackers, 2 Games vs Madison Bombers

• Rotation: @ Haddonfield - 1st game Julio Lopez (1-0, 1.50) 2nd Game - Warren Piniella (1-0, 3.38) ; vs Bombers - 1st game Tim Welply (1-0, 0.00) , 2nd game Donald Brewer (0-1, 6.43)