Offense struggles with runners in scoring position; Oaks’ grand slam too much to overcome
Saints can't hold early lead, fall to Oaks in the late innings
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 1 |
|
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 1 |
PASADENA, CA—After the Arroyo Seco Saints (10-16) started Sunday's game with a four-run lead through four innings, the Conejo Oaks (16-9) responded with eight straight in an 8-4 Saints loss, breaking the Saints' three-game winning streak.
The game started well for the Saints, a common theme throughout their recent winning streak. A Zach Leite (Old Dominion University) two-run home run, his first of the season, gave the Saints the lead in the first inning after Thomas Peck (University of Nevada, Reno) pitched a scoreless first.
The Saints offense added on in the fourth when Sean Asperger (Undecided) opened the inning with a double, followed by a Nik Nashiwa (Golden West College) triple and subsequent sacrifice bunt, giving the Saints an early 4-0 lead.
Saints starting pitcher Thomas Peck turned in his best start of the season and one of the best by the Saints staff. Peck went five solid innings, giving up only one unearned run after a throwing error.
This was made more impressive by the talent on the Oaks' offense, a unit averaging over seven runs per game. Peck also managed to stifle the Oaks' star player, Brandon Contreras, keeping him off the basepaths in each of their three matchups.
"I go at every hitter with the same stuff and attack them," Peck said. "Just throwing more strikes and going at good hitters."
Through most of the game, the Saints' pitching cruised. When the eighth inning came, that all changed. Saints pitcher Lincoln Lyons (Occidental College) struggled in his third inning of work, allowing a grand slam that gave the Oaks the lead.
The Oaks added to their lead in the ninth with a three-run home run by Tyson Reis, putting the game out of reach.
The Saints offense had multiple chances to extend their lead, including a runner on third with no outs and bases loaded with one out, but couldn't get any more runs across. They finished the game a paltry 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
The Saints will look to bounce back on Tuesday night against the Academy Barons (14-11). The first pitch is at 5:35 PM PDT in the crucial matchup between playoff-hungry teams in the CCL Southern Division.