August 8, 2014- The Generals wrapped up the regular season tonight with a win over the Woodland Strykers 4-3. With the win, the Generals, led by Jonathan Burns, set a single season record for wins in a season with 37 wins. Several other notables are: Justin Pacchioli won the batting title finishing up with a .360 batting average, Brian Portelli took the RBI title with 35 RBI’s on the season, and Matthew Burks took the Home Run title with 6 (tied for the Generals record with Freddy Villalobos) to sweep the offensive categories for the Generals. Kris Looper took the ERA title with an amazing 1.07 ERA on the season, while Armando Arevalo took the wins title with 7 wins on the season (tied for most in Generals history with Joseph Dvorsky).
The Generals started the night off hot in the first with Justin Pacchioli getting it going with a double. Portelli singles moving Pacchioli to 3rd and Cedric Vallieres hits a sacrifice fly to score the first run on the game as Pacchioli crosses the plate.
The Generals would get on the board again in the second inning with an RBI single from Pacchioli that would score Keith Funk to make the score 2-0. Starting pitcher for the Generals, Bryce Welborn, would hang strong not allowing a run until the 4th on a sacrifice fly to make the score 2-1.
In the 6th inning, Welborn would run into control problems and would walk four consecutive batters, giving up the lead making the score 2-2. C.J. Pickering would relieve Welborn and would get out of a bases loaded jam getting Will Watson to fly out ending the Strykers threat.
The Generals would regain the lead in the 8th with Pacchioli again getting things started with a single to lead off the inning. Portelli would hit a lined shot that would fall in for a double sending Pacchioli to 3rd. Vallieres would draw a walk to load the bases and David Paiz would hit into a fielder’s choice that would score Pacchioli. Kyle Danford would score Portelli on a sacrifice fly that would give the Generals the lead at 4-2.
The Strykers would battle back to score one in the bottom of the 8th but would come up a run short as the game ended. James Swan would come in to pitch the 9th and seal the deal at 4-3 and would pick up the save. C.J. Pickering gets the win, his first on the season.
Come out tomorrow night for FREE TICKET PLAYOFF presented by Citizens Medical Center. Gates open at 6:00pm and are opened to everyone FREE of charge (no ticket necessary). The Generals will take on the Acadiana Cane Cutters in a one game playoff to see who will advance to the TCL Championship series. The first 200 in the gate will receive 2014 Victoria Generals all-star cards and the players will be available prior to the game to autograph them for those that arrive early. These all-star cards are presented by our friends at TDECU. Get there early and help the Generals as they push for another TCL title. First pitch is at 7:05 at Riverside Stadium.
