Huntington Beach, Calif. - Golden West struggled to fight their way back on top of Santa Barbara after mistakes from both the offensive and defensive fronts on Thursday. The Rustlers fell to a two-game losing streak (1-2) with this 9-5 loss, while the Vaqueros remain undefeated (3-0).
The game started out in the Rustlers favor as they led the Vaqueros 3-2 in the early innings following a single hit by Steven Casas and two doubles by Miles Jenkins and DJ McEvers.
Production from the offense took a turn for the worse in the second inning. Between misjudged baserunning that resulted in a double play and a strikeout swinging on a misread high pitch, the Rustlers developed a habit of leaving guys on base.
"We got beat 20-2 on Saturday and I was infinitely more disappointed with the way they played today," Head Coach Andrew Ramos said. "We took the momentum from ourselves multiple times – we have to be smarter."
The Vaqueros faced four Rustler pitchers, the last being third year RHP Thomas Howard who gave up one hit and struck out four hitters over two innings.
"He is unconventional, doesn't have overpowering stuff, but he throws strikes, works hard, his teammates love him to death," Ramos said. "The reaction that the dugout gave him when he comes in should be what every player aspires to be and get from their teammates."
NEXT: The Rustlers and Vaqueros will make their way back to Hoover Field for a double header Saturday. Jason Blood will be on the mound for Game 1 at 10 a.m. and Johnnie Valdez Jr. will start Game 2 tentatively scheduled for 1 p.m.
Written by:Marissa Lavezzari
