Rawhide Double Down on Nuts

VISALIA, CA - The Rawhide pushed through a three-run rally in the first and, behind a strong start from Emilio Vargas, beat Modesto 5-3 and ended a four-game losing skid.

Visalia (23-20) rallied with two outs in the first on RBI doubles by Daulton Varsho and Drew Ellis and a run-scoring single by Pavin Smith. The Rawhide added another run in the third inning when Dominic Miroglio muscled a ball into short right field to score Camden Duzenack from second to make it 4-0.
The support was more than enough for Vargas, who didn't reach the requisite five innings to qualify for a win but was dominant during his start. Vargas pitched 4.2 innings and allowed two runs, one of which was earned, on four hits while striking out a season-high nine Nuts hitters.
Junior Garcia (W, 1-0) finished off the fifth for Vargas and pitched two additional scoreless innings. Nuts starter Reggie McClain (L, 1-2) lasted five innings and surrendered four runs for the third straight start.
The Rawhide tacked on an additional run of support in the seventh on a double by Raymel Flores to score Stephen Smith to make it 5-2.
Modesto (19-24) made things interesting in the ninth by scoring a run off of Kevin Ginkel on a chalk ball down the left field line from Joe Rizzo. But Ginkel (SV, 3) battled back to strike out the next three hitters in succession to secure a Rawhide win.
Miroglio and Stephen Smith led the way for Visalia offensively with a pair of hits each. Miroglio also drove home a run and scored a run. Camden Duzenack and Marcus Wilson both stole bases for the Rawhide as well.
Visalia will for a series win against Modesto tomorrow afternoon. Visalia will send RHP Kevin McCanna (1-0, 2.16) to the hill against Modesto LHP Danny Garcia (0-3, 6.75). First pitch is slated for 2 PM and tickets are still available on rawhidebaseball.com.