Sam Reel - LA MIRADA, Calif.

The Shepherds dropped their first game of the 2020 season on Wednesday as the Signal Hill Oilers won by a final score of 9-6. Rust showed throughout the game on the field as, after a nearly four-month break from play, the Shepherds committed four errors.

Walter Roberts (Providence Christian) started the game for the Shepherds and only completed an inning of work as he gave up 6 runs on 5 hits. The pitching would settle in though, as four straight scoreless innings thrown by the bullpen allowed the Shepherds to stay in the game and close the gap. The Sheps scored five of their six total runs over the final two innings of play.

Right fielder, FCA camp and youth team alum, Jackson Van Ness (Anderson University) was named the Shepherds player of the game after picking up two hits with a walk and an RBI in his Shepherds debut. Nathan Weatherly (Belhaven University) also made his Shepherds debut, and came up big with a solo home-run over the left-field wall in the bottom of the seventh.

Next Game

The Shepherds are back in action tomorrow as they take on the Long Beach Legends at 5:00 p.m. and will look for their first win of the season. Fans will be able to watch live at Facebook.com/socalfcabaseball as Matt Kennedy has the call.