Rustlers Take Game One Against the Lancers

Huntington Beach, CA - Golden West baseball (18-9, 5-4 OEC) wins final home non-conference game against Compton College (15-12, 8-7 SCC), 9-2.

Golden West took a break from their conference play to take on the Pasadena City Lancers. The Rustlers began the series at home and are set to play the second game on the road. After a quiet first frame, Golden West broke the scoreless tie in the second. Dylan Lina launched the first pitch he saw of the afternoon and hit a frozen rope over the high left field wall for a solo blast, 1-0. Pasadena City immediately responded as they tied it in the third inning, 1-1. 

Golden West exploded in the third inning as the offense crossed four runs. Zech Samayoa singled and later scored from a Jack Salmon RBI base hit to left field, 2-1. With bases, Davis Hildebrandt singled in Lina for an RBI hit, 3-1. Tyler Cowins lifted the ball deep enough for a sacrifice fly and extended the Rustler's edge, 4-1. The Rustlers flashed the leather in the top of the fourth. Dante Jackosn made an incredible sliding and throwing play to get the runner at first. For the final out, Salmon tracked down a ball in right field for a diving catch of his own to end the frame. 

Offensively, both lineups were quiet and went scoreless in the fourth and fifth frame. In the sixth however, Ayden Garcia got his team on the scoreboard once again with a sacrifice fly, 6-1. The Lancers got the run back in the top of the seventh before the Rustlers scored three more runs, 6-2. Salmon smacked a two-RBI triple over the center fielders head to extend Golden West's advantage to six, 8-2. Robert Castillo found another RBI with a fielder's choice to cap the scoring for the home team at nine runs. JJ Robles earned the save as the Rustlers won, 9-2. 

Salmon had a great day at the plate and in the field as he went 2-4 with two runs scored and four RBIs. Andrew Kirchner also had a successful day with his 2-4 showing and two runs scored. Lina scored three times with his 1-2 appearance, two walks and home run. Jackson started the game and went 4.0 frames with only one run allowed and three strikeouts. Grant Faris and Elias Valdez each went 1.0 innings of relief as they totaled four strikeouts. Robles finished the game with a save after his 3.0 innings and three strikeouts. The Rustlers earned their 18th victory on the season. 

UP NEXT: The Rustlers will conclude the two game series against the Lancers on the road on Wednesday, March 27th. First pitch will be at 2pm.