Game Recap for 06/23/2008 7:05 PM

The Orange County Flyers offense was unusually quiet for the first four innings but came alive quickly as Orange County beat the Chico Outlaws 5-2 Monday night at Goodwin Field in Fullerton, CA.

The Orange County Flyers' (19-6) offense was held in check for most of the game but used a five run fifth inning to jump in front of the Chico Outlaws (9-17) and rode the league's winningest pitcher, Andre Simpson for eight and a third before turning things over to closer Dane De La Rosa.

Simpson (7-0) was excellent en route to his league best seventh win, striking out seven.

The Flyers used just one inning of scoring and two home runs to defeat Chico as Mark Okano and Fernando Pacheco each hit two run shots to fuel Orange County.

The Outlaws used a three base error in the second inning to strike first, as Patrick Breen misplayed a fly ball in centerfield allowing Jose Valdez to go all the way to third before a sacrifice fly from Gabriel Riley brought Valdez in to score.

The Flyers were finally able to get to Greg Bicknell in the fifth as Patrick Breen got things going in the fifth with a single into left. Fernando Pacheco followed immediately and effectively blasting a two run homer well over the fence in right center field.

Buddy Morales welcomed himself back into the lineup with a double into left before Jeff Van Houten chased him in with a double of his own off the right field wall. Mark Okano capped off the explosion with his eleventh homer of the season, a two run shot into left center field, as well as the fourth consecutive extra base hit.

Todd Gossage was the first to really get to Andre Simpson as the Outlaws' designated hitter turned on a 3-2 pitch and placed it well over the right field wall to bring the Outlaws within three in the seventh.

Still, it was not enough for Chico as Simpson settled down before turning things over to De la Rosa for Dane's fourth save of the season.

Greg Bicknell suffers loss and drops to 1-1.

These two teams will meet for the second game of the three game series Tuesday with first pitch slated at 7:05. Bob Cramer is expected to start for Orange County against Jason Roach and the Chico Outlaws.