THOUSAND OAKS, CA- For the first time since the first three games of the season, the Arroyo Seco Saints have a three-game winning streak after beating the Conejo Oaks 6-5.

The winning streak couldn’t come at a better time for the Saints as they head into the playoffs.

Tyler Herges (Azusa Pacific) made his first start of the season and pitched a season-high four innings.

The Oaks got to Herges in the first, with Tommy Kendlinger (Biola) scoring on a groundout from Justin Rubin (Pepperdine).

Conejo extended its lead to 2-0 in the third, with Kendlinger again scoring, this time on a single from Rubin.

The game was scoreless during the middle innings. The Oaks had a chance to pull ahead even further by loading the bases in the fifth after Aisea Ahokovi (Azusa Pacific) hit one batter and walked two more before recording an out. Luckily for the Saints, pitcher Brady Nelson (St. Cloud State) miraculously got out of the inning thanks to good pitching and solid defense behind him.

Saints third baseman Adrian Lopez (USC) made a great play to get the first out of the inning by throwing a hard-hit grounder home for the force out. One batter later, Cam Conley (Pepperdine) and Sheehan O’Connor (New Mexico State) combined to make a slick double play to get out of the inning.

Much like they have all season long, one big inning propelled the Saints to a victory; today, it was in the seventh, and they scored all six of their runs. Conley, Alex Birge (UC Berkley), Nick Lazzara (Trinity), Joey Donnelly (UC Berkley), Lopez, and Bermudez all drove in runs for the Saints.

The Oaks made it interesting in the ninth, scoring two runs and getting the tying run to third, but Jske Vargas was able to persevere and get the final out.

With the win, the Saints finish the regular season at 21-15 and will host the OC Riptide in a one-game elimination on Tuesday night.

• Saints reporter Dylan Gonzales (Fresno State)
• Saints photographer Jordan Teller