The Calgary Vipers were three outs away but a two run single in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Orange County Flyers a 10-9 victory in the fifth and deciding game of the Golden Baseball League's Championship Series at Goodwin Field in Fullerton, California. Up 9-8 Jeff LaRue drove in two runs with the bases loaded to give the Flyers the Championship. Josh Arhart was awarded the Post-Season MVP award after a 2-4 performance and the Flyers won their first GBL Crown behind Manager Gary Carter. It is the second straight year the Vipers have come up one win short, losing last season as well in Game Five of the Finals.
The game started off at a frantic pace, as the Calgary Vipers jumped out to a three run lead after the first three batters all reached base and scored thanks to RBI hits from Felix Jose and Richard Austin.
The Flyers got those runs back quickly as their first four batters reached with Josh Arhart cleaning up the bases with a two run homer to cap a four run first inning.
The sea-saw battle continued as Calgary answered back with doubles from Jorge Mejia and Colin Moro before Felix Jose drove in one with an RBI single.
Orange County tied the game in the third when Fernando Pacheco was hit by a pitch in the foot before scoring all the way from first on a Jermy Acey single.
The Flyers looked to jumped out to their biggest lead in the fourth after led off the inning with a solo homer and the Flyers scored both Mark Okano and David Bacani on a pair of past balls to hold an 8-5 lead.
But Calgary tied the game again in the sixth when Carlos Duncan singled and stole second, before Richard Austin walked and they were sacrificed to second and third by Nelson Castro. Patrick Arlis came through with a huge triple to score both runners, and scored himself on a throwing error on the attempt to catch him sliding into third.
Calgary then put the pressure on O.C. as Duncan again caused problems with a single and stolen base before advancing to third. And just how the Flyers scored two of their runs, the Vipers picked up the go ahead run on a Wild Pitch.
After failing to score in the eighth, the pressure mounted in the ninth, but Patrick Breen and Brian Rios both singled to finally knock out Viper's reliever Mac Suzuki. Josh Arhart then walked to load the bases, setting up LaRue's third clutch hit within a week.
Andre Simpson kept the Flyers in the game, throwing 3.2 innings after Jesse Smith was knocked out with a thumb injury.
Despite being saddled with the loss, Suzuki held the Flyers quiet for 4 and two thirds innings before turning the game over to Jon Huizinga.
After LaRue's single, his team-mates carried him on his shoulder before the trophy presentation.
