Article by Christopher D’Avanzo; Photo by Emily Moran

HEALDSBURG— On a day where they fielded, ran the bases, and batted well, striking for a total of eight runs, the Arroyo Seco Saints (10-16, 7-14 CCL) ultimately faltered at the game’s very end. The Prune Packers beat the Saints by a score of 9-8, scoring two runs on 2-strike, 2-out pitch and very nearly the end of the game. 

The home run was given up by Joey Steele.  The “Man of Steele” earned his closer role for his work this season and has been effective in the late innings. But on Sunday, Steele entered for the Saints in the 8th inning, allowing two inherited runs that were charged to Charles Peacock, and the two runs in the 9th that gave Healdsburg the win. 

“You remind guys that the game is not just one play,” said coach Buller. “It’s just a reminder that the game is a game.”

“[Steele]is still our guy,” continued Buller, reaffirming his support for star reliever. “I have full confidence in him, and in another situation like that he’ll go back out there, no questions asked.”

The Saints came out the gate strong and has numerous key contributors at the plate. Lee University’s Dalton Ney was exceptional, picking up a pair of extra base hits. 

With the bases loaded, Ney hammered a double down the left field line in the 3rd, scoring two of the three runners on base. In the 8th, he sent a line drive over the wall in left for a two-run dinger, his second home run of the season. Ney finished the afternoon 2-5 with 4 RBIs and a run scored. 

“I was seeing the ball pretty good,” said Ney. “At the beginning of the season I was struggling finding barrels. My biggest thing is just staying calm in the box.”

Ney’s home run was one of two for the Saints on the day. In the 6th, with the Saints trailing 4-2, Cal Poly Pomona infielder Drew Cowley hit a two-run homer to tie the game, his first of the season. Colin Shepard reached base later in the inning. With two outs, ASU’s Jack Smith hit a high pop up in the infield, but fell after a misplay by the Prune Packers third baseman. Shepard, hustling all the way, came around from first base to score the go-ahead run. 

The Prune Packers came right back to tie it at 5 in the bottom of the 6th inning. Healdsburg scored the run against Reed Osborne, who relieved started Colin King after 3+ innings. Osborne left after 3 innings in relief, his only allowed earn run coming in the 6th. 

The Saints again reclaimed the lead after a stolen base by Cooper Williams. Williams swiped third on a double steal with Cowley. The throw by the Prune Packer catcher sailed into centerfield, allowing Williams to jog home for the Saints’ 6th run of the afternoon. 

Despite the loss, and dropping three of the contests, the coaching staff viewed the road trip as a positive experience for the players as they get set for the final few weeks of the season before they head back to school.  

“I wish we could have had this road trip earlier in the season,” said Buller. “Our guys have bonded really well and this series just solidified that.”

UP Next

The Saints will have Monday off before returning to play with a home game on Tuesday night versus the OC Riptide. The game was originally scheduled for Fullerton but was moved to Pasadena. It’s the Saints first home game since June 30th. First pitch is at 6:05 PM. 

HEALDSBURG— On a day where they fielded, ran the bases, and batted well, striking for a total of eight runs, the Arroyo Seco Saints (10-16, 7-14 CCL) ultimately faltered at the game’s very end. The Prune Packers beat the Saints by a score of 9-8, scoring two runs on 2-strike, 2-out pitch and very nearly the end of the game. 

The home run was given up by Joey Steele.  The “Man of Steele” earned his closer role for his work this season and has been effective in the late innings. But on Sunday, Steele entered for the Saints in the 8th inning, allowing two inherited runs that were charged to Charles Peacock, and the two runs in the 9th that gave Healdsburg the win. 

“You remind guys that the game is not just one play,” said coach Buller. “It’s just a reminder that the game is a game.”

“[Steele]is still our guy,” continued Buller, reaffirming his support for star reliever. “I have full confidence in him, and in another situation like that he’ll go back out there, no questions asked.”

The Saints came out the gate strong and has numerous key contributors at the plate. Lee University’s Dalton Ney was exceptional, picking up a pair of extra base hits. 

With the bases loaded, Ney hammered a double down the left field line in the 3rd, scoring two of the three runners on base. In the 8th, he sent a line drive over the wall in left for a two-run dinger, his second home run of the season. Ney finished the afternoon 2-5 with 4 RBIs and a run scored. 

“I was seeing the ball pretty good,” said Ney. “At the beginning of the season I was struggling finding barrels. My biggest thing is just staying calm in the box.”

Ney’s home run was one of two for the Saints on the day. In the 6th, with the Saints trailing 4-2, Cal Poly Pomona infielder Drew Cowley hit a two-run homer to tie the game, his first of the season. Colin Shepard reached base later in the inning. With two outs, ASU’s Jack Smith hit a high pop up in the infield, but fell after a misplay by the Prune Packers third baseman. Shepard, hustling all the way, came around from first base to score the go-ahead run. 

The Prune Packers came right back to tie it at 5 in the bottom of the 6th inning. Healdsburg scored the run against Reed Osborne, who relieved started Colin King after 3+ innings. Osborne left after 3 innings in relief, his only allowed earn run coming in the 6th. 

The Saints again reclaimed the lead after a stolen base by Cooper Williams. Williams swiped third on a double steal with Cowley. The throw by the Prune Packer catcher sailed into centerfield, allowing Williams to jog home for the Saints’ 6th run of the afternoon. 

Despite the loss, and dropping three of the contests, the coaching staff viewed the road trip as a positive experience for the players as they get set for the final few weeks of the season before they head back to school.  

“I wish we could have had this road trip earlier in the season,” said Buller. “Our guys have bonded really well and this series just solidified that.”

UP Next

The Saints will have Monday off before returning to play with a home game on Tuesday night versus the OC Riptide. The game was originally scheduled for Fullerton but was moved to Pasadena. It’s the Saints first home game since June 30th. First pitch is at 6:05 PM.