Power Surge Drives Rawhide

VISALIA, CA - With the Rawhide trailing 2-1 in the third inning, Pavin Smith unloaded on the second pitch he saw from Darren McCaughan. The high, arcing blast stayed fair down the right field line and landed beyond the Modesto bullpen to give the Rawhide their first lead, 3-2.

From there, Visalia (34-31) put their metaphorical foot on the accelerator. Stephen Smith led off the fifth with a solo homer, his first of the season, and then Dominic Miroglio highlighted a seven-run sixth with a grand slam that led the Rawhide to an 11-3 win.
The seven runs plated by Visalia in the sixth were the most scored by the Rawhide in any inning this year. McCaughan (L, 3-5) lasted through the fifth inning and allowed four runs on eight hits. The two home runs he allowed, to Pavin Smith and Stephen Smith, were the first round trippers that he has allowed in his career.
Miroglio's grand slam was the second Rawhide slam of the year: both have come against Modesto (28-37).
Visalia starter Riley Smith delivered a Quality Start for the Rawhide, allowing three runs over six innings with four strikeouts. Smith (W, 3-3) had to work out of trouble a couple of times.
With the Nuts leading 1-0, a pair of hits and an error loaded the bases with nobody out. Smith minimized the damage, holding Modesto to just one run while striking out a pair.
Stephen Smith led the Rawhide with three hits and drove in three runs, scoring a pair, while Mark Karaviotis, Drew Ellis, and Pavin Smith all added two. Miroglio led the Rawhide with four RBI, all of which came on the grand slam.
Eight different Visalia players recorded a hit tonight, and all nine Rawhide players reached safely. Jordan Watson, Tyler Mark, and Junior Garcia combined to throw three one-hit innings of relief.
Tomorrow the Rawhide will turn to RHP Connor Grey (5-3, 4.37) to the bump against RHP Randy Bell (2-4, 5.14). First pitch is at 6 PM and tickets are still available on rawhidebaseball.com.