Clutch performances give Rustlers walk-off win
Today was truly a back-and-forth contest, and Golden West came out on top 5-4 via a walk-off single at Hoover Field.
Today was truly a back-and-forth contest, and Golden West came out on top 5-4 via a walk-off single at Hoover Field.
Scoring started early for Golden West (8-4) and Bakersfield (3-7) as the Renegades put up two runs in the first inning. Golden West would score one in the bottom of the first and then tie the game in the third with a little help from Renegade pitcher JJ Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz attempted to pickoff James Stea at first base but threw the ball away. Stea sprinted around the bases and was able to score since the ball trickled into deep foul territory
Rustler's starting pitcher Isaiah Terrazas settled down after the first inning and did not let in a run until the sixth inning. After giving up a double to start the seventh, he was lifted in favor of Quentin McGrath. Terrazas went 6.1 innings striking out 6 and giving up 3 earned runs.
Bakersfield would take the lead in the sixth, but Golden West capitalized on another Renegade error in the eighth inning as Michael Farris scored on an error to tie the game 3-3. Golden West came to bat in the bottom of the ninth as the Renegades were able to take the lead again top of the inning. Andrew Yazdanbakhsh proved to be the hero hitting a walk-off single with two outs scoring Frank Califano and Stea to seal the victory.
Califano had himself a game earning the victory in relief, but most notably stealing 4 bases and throwing out a runner at the plate from center field. Farris and Yazdanbakhsh were the big producers driving in all 3 RBI and went 2-for-5 and 3-for-5 respectively.
Golden West and Bakersfield will square-off two more times at Hoover Field this weekend. Friday's game will be at 2 p.m. and Saturday's contest will be noon start.
