King, Rogers lead the way to the Saints' first victory
Arroyo Seco uses timely hitting and clutch pitching to secure comeback win in first game away from home.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 1 |
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2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 2 |
COMPTON, CA— Right fielder Canon King (UC San Diego) and Pitcher Griffen Rogers (Occidental College) led the way as the Arroyo Seco Saints (1-1) won their first game of 2026 behind late-inning heroics, scoring one in the ninth to squeak out a 6-5 victory.
The Barons started the game hot, scoring two runs with the help of a throwing error in the bottom of the first inning.
Arroyo Seco answered right back when a throwing error allowed Camden Andrews (California Baptist University) to score in the second, and Canon King's RBI single tied it in the third.
Saints' starting pitcher Joe O'Regan (Undecided) ended his night in the fourth inning by striking out two, but not before the Barons took the lead back 3-2.
In the top of the fifth, the Saints took the lead with a two-run, bases-loaded single from left fielder Carson Panarisi (Cal State Los Angeles), scoring Dylan Immel (Undecided) and Sean Asperger (Undecided).
The Saints had another chance with the bases loaded the following inning, but were unable to cash in. The Barons responded with a solo home run and a sac fly in the bottom half of the sixth, a 5-4 lead that wouldn't last long.
Second baseman Jacob Freer (Undecided) singled home King to make things even at 5-5 heading into the late innings.
Pitcher Griffen Rogers (Occidental College) entered the game in the eighth inning and struck out the first two batters he faced in his 1-2-3 inning after the Saints failed to score in the top half of the inning. Rogers relied heavily on his fastball in the inning, well in line with the 90% clip that he threw it in his past season.
Canon King led off the top of the ninth with a double to left center, which put the Saints in a great position to get the go-ahead run in the final frame. King then stole third to move the go-ahead run 90 feet away. Two batters later, a Freer sacrifice fly gave the Saints the lead.
King had a monster game, going 3-4 with an RBI, a walk, and two runs scored. "Just putting the ball in play, seeing what happens. Ultimately, that's what leads to wins," King said.
Luckily for the Saints, it did.
After pitching a scoreless eighth, Rogers went back to the mound, hoping to continue to ride his fastball to victory. Instead, Rogers mixed in a changeup with his deadly fastball, something he has been working on. "Fastball is my main pitch...so kinda switching up the looks a little bit, giving them something else to think about," Rogers said. Four batters later, the Saints entered the win column for the first time in 2026.
The Arroyo Seco Saints (1-1) look to keep building momentum as they play at home Sunday, June 7th, against the San Diego Bombers (0-2). First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 PM.
Contributors:
- Saints reporter: Joshua Krueger (Baylor University)
- Saints photographer: Aaliyah Alamillo