IRVINE, California- Lance Smith
The Sheps played their 5th and final preseason game against the Orange County Riptide out of the California Collegiate League and lost 6-12. Emry Jackson got the start on the mound for the Sheps as he battled for 4.0 innings giving up just 3 runs before the bullpen was asked to take over. Alex Escobar took over for Jackson and battled admirably as he gave up just 1 run over 3 innings of work until giving up 4 after the leadoff batter got on via a flyball that was lost by the infielders. After that, the Tide turned it up a notch and put up an additional 4 runs in the 7th after Escobar exited.
At the plate, the Sheps struggled to get anything going aside from a 4-run outburst in the 6th inning as the Riptide have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to talented arms. Even still, the boys were able to scatter a season high 10 hits. The Sheps battled hard throughout the game and put up an exemplary effort against what could be the most talented team they face this season. Despite the loss, the team has rounded into form at the perfect time as they seem to have found a groove just as league play is set to begin.
Matthew Magre earned the win (1-1) and Alex Escobar (0-1) was tacked with the loss.
Notes
- Dylan Smith threw out his first runner of the season
- Emry struck out 3 in 4 innings of work
- Gabe Jackson struck out 2 in 1 inning of relief
- Joey Scotvold went 6 for 7 in first pitch strikes (85.7%)
- Jackson LoBianco went 2 for 5 with 2 singles
- Dylan Smith recorded his first hit driving in 1 run
- Kaiden Zacharias hit a 2-RBI double
- Team batting average today was .286
- Jamie Laframboise recorded 4 putouts and 5 assists
- 0 errors committed by Sheps defense
Quote from pitching coach, Isaac Friesen
“I think the best thing to emphasize is that we can hang with this team. We showed that for 6 innings and had a couple tough plays in the 7th inning that cost us there with the ball going up in the lights, a couple things didn’t go our way. But this game proves we can compete at this level. I think a lot of guys came into this game onto this field a little star struck and then showed that they can play.
What’s next
The Shepherds have their opening regular season game on Saturday, the 19th at 11 am versus Ventura County Buccaneers). The game will be played at Los Angeles Valley College in Valley Glen and will be live streamed on the Shepherds Facebook page which can be found at https://www.facebook.com/socalfcabaseball/. To stay up to date on all things Shepherds baseball follow us on Instagram (@shepherds_baseball), Twitter (@SoCalShpherds), and Facebook (Southern California FCA Baseball).