Shepherds Blow Out Cage Rats 13-2

Sam Reel - LA MIRADA, Calif

BOX SCORE

The SoCal Shepherds got back in the win column on Wednesday with a 13-2 victory over the California Cage Rats. Every aspect of the Shepherds performance was impressive, starting with starting pitcher Cory Treyes on the mound. Treyes went five innings, allowing two runs and striking out five and never was any real trouble. Andrew White, Anthony Reynoso, and Austin Hallman combined to pitch four shutout innings out of the bullpen, with Hallman throwing a perfect ninth to seal it.

The Shepherds' offense impressed again, as the unit that leads the Sunset League in runs scored put up thirteen on the day. Every starter in the lineup reached base for the Shepherds and had twelve hits total. Tommy Acuna got things started in the bottom of the first with a two-run single to left. Acuna would add on a double later in the game for his third multi-hit game of the season.

Chad Ragland would tack on a run with an RBI single, and Joey Scotvold would drive in two with a double. Ragland has now reached base in every game of the season thus far, and currently has an OBP of .558. Right fielder Tanner Smith had another huge game, finishing a triple shy of the cycle. Smith's solo home run in the bottom of the third was his third of the season, and he just missed his fourth home run of the season in the seventh with a ground-rule double to straightaway center field. Smith finished with four RBI on the day, bringing his season total to sixteen.

Noah Reitmeyer and Sebastian Dunn each drove in a run and had two-hit days. Reitmeyer is now hitting .450 in limited playing time (20 ABs). Shepherds' sparkplug Sawyer Smith scored three runs out of the number ten-hole in the lineup. In addition to an RBI double in the seventh, Smith walked twice and stole a base.

The Sheps now sit at 5-7 on the season through the twelve games played. They will be back in action tomorrow at 5 pm as they take on the Inland Valley Pirates.

Shepherds lose heartbreaker to Solana Beach Redbirds

Sam Reel - LA MIRADA, Calif

BOX SCORE

Late inning heartbreak met the Shepherds on Monday night, as they allowed three runs in the top of the ninth and fell to the Solana Beach Redbirds 9-6. The Shepherds were in control the majority of the game after the offense scored six runs over the first three innings. Tanner Smith got things started in the bottom of the first with an RBI single and would later score on an error to tie the game at two. Over the next two innings, sac flies from Sebastian Dunn and Nathan Weatherly and a two-run double by Jackson Van Ness gave the Shepherds a 6-2 lead.

Roy Washburn settled in after a first-inning where he struggled with command and kept the Redbirds off the board. For the second start in a row, Washburn struck out eight and pitched his way out of any trouble he got into. He would be pulled after four and a third innings of three-run baseball. Austin Hallman would relieve Joshua Ramirez after he failed to record an out after replacing Washburn. Hallman would dominate the two batters he faced, striking out both to strand the bases loaded to preserve the 6-3 lead.

Shepherds’ starter Jacob Brothers made a scoreless appearance out of the bullpen in the sixth before making way for newcomer Brayden Englert. Englert battled with his command, allowing the fourth Redbird run on a Luca Martinez sac fly, but stranded runners at the corners to end the inning.

Gus Zapata was the Shepherds' choice for the eighth. Zapata had been one of the best Shepherds relievers entering today but the Redbirds jumped on Zapata on Monday. After walking the leadoff man Liam O'Connor, Redbirds' third baseman Kyle Dobson sent one over the left-field wall to tie the game at six.

The Sheps offense had nothing doing against Redbird reliever Luke Gentry. Gentry spun five innings of scoreless baseball out of the bullpen to keep the Shepherd lead within reach. Chad Ragland, who went two for four with an RBI and two stolen bases at the plate, moved from left field to the mound in the top of the ninth. Ragland would allow a go-ahead RBI single to Harrison Rodgers, and two more insurance runs would follow later in the inning. After the Shepherds’ got leadoff singles from Emry Jackson and Will Cline in the bottom of the ninth, the Shepherds would fail to get them home and have their record fall to 4-6 on the year.

The Shepherds have tomorrow night off and will return to play on Wednesday, July 15 against the California Cage Rats.

Shepherds win fourth of the season, Jackson throws 3-hitless

Sam Reel - LA MIRADA, Calif

BOX SCORE

The Shepherds picked up their fourth win of the season on Sunday afternoon as they defeated the the Inland Valley Pirates to move to 4-5 on the season. The Shepherds did what they have struggled to all season, get a lead early and hold it. Emry Jackson played a large role in that, as the Shepherds’ starter went three hit less innings, striking out five along the way. The lone flaw Jackson had was allowing a walk in the second inning. 

The offense took over from there as they scored six runs over the first two innings, including five in the bottom of the first. Shepherds’ third baseman Tommy Acuna got things rolling for the Shepherds as he drove in the first two runs on the day with a single out to left. Acuna now has back to back games with two hits and two RBI. A Will Cline walk with the bases loaded drove in the third run before Noah Reitmeyer knocked in two more with a single to center. Sebastian Dunn would create a run all by himself in the second, as he led off the inning with a walk, then stole second and third and scored as the throw down to third sailed into left field. 

The Sheps’ bullpen was dominant and picked up right where the starter Jackson left off. First out of the pen was two-way player Joey Scotvold as he pitched two innings of one-run ball. Scotvold got into trouble during the fifth inning by loading the bases but was able to get out of the jam by striking out the pinch hitter AJ Moreno. Andrew White threw a perfect sixth, and then Austin Hallman struck out the side in the seventh to seal the win.

Next Game

The Shepherds will take on the Solano Beach Redbirds at 5:00 pm as they look to win back-to-back games for the first time this season. Fans can watch live at Facebook.com/socalfcabaseball

Shepherds can't complete comeback, fall to Long Beach Legends

Sam Reel - LA MIRADA, Calif

BOX SCORE

The Shepherds fell behind early, and couldn't complete the comeback as they fell to the Long Beach Legends 15-6. Walter Roberts, the Shepherds starter, had a scoreless first inning but did not record an out in the second as he battled with command. Roberts allowed eight runs on four hits and four walks. Caleb Pollema and Anthony Reynoso each had two scoreless innings out of the bullpen.

The Shepherds offense got off to a slow start but had a big 7th inning in which they scored four runs, highlighted by a two-run single by Tommy Acuña. Acuña had one of his best days at the plate so far this season, as he also had a double to left, back in the third inning. Austin Hallman reached base all four times he came to the plate, as he finished with a double and three walks, one of his walks drove in a run. Shortstop Sebastian Dunn continued his hot stretch with two RBI on the day.

After the game, Shepherds’ coach Jordan Aboites said the biggest thing that will lead to more consistent success with both the pitching and offense is to knock the rust off after such a long layoff from play.

Next Game

The Shepherds host the Inland Valley Pirates at 1:00 pm tomorrow. Fans will not be permitted at the game, but fans can watch live on Facebook.com/socalfcabaseball.

Shepherds Take Down OC Legends, Pick Up Third Win of the Year

Sam Reel - LA MIRADA, Calif

BOX SCORE

The SoCal Shepherds took down the Orange County Legends on Friday by a score of 9-3. Jacob Brothers started the game for the Shepherds and continued his string of fantastic performances to start the year. Brothers went four innings, allowing one run on one hit and recorded one strikeout on the day. The one run allowed today was the first earned run allowed by Brothers this season and his era now sits an even 1.00.

Nine of the ten offensive starters for the Shepherds reached base on the day, and the lone man who failed to reach base, Sawyer Smith, had a two-RBI day with a pair of sac flies. Shortstop Sebastian Dunn continued his hot stretch with two doubles and an RBI. Will Cline joined Dunn with a two-hit day of his own, and also scored two runs.

Emry Jackson, Chad Ragland (2), Noah Reitmeyer, Tanner Smith, and Nathan Weatherly all had RBI on the day in addition to S. Smith and Dunn.

The Legends would score their additional two runs on solo home runs in the 6th, but Nick Lycett’s scoreless 7th sealed the game for the Shepherds as they picked up their third win of the year.

Next Game

The Shepherds return to action tomorrow afternoon as they play the Long Beach Legends at 1:00 pm and will play their first 9-inning game of the year. Fans can watch live on facebook.com/socalfcabaseball

Shepherds Fall to Signal Hill Oilers

Sam Reel - LA MIRADA, Calif

BOX SCORE

The SoCal Shepherds dropped a close game on Wednesday, as the Signal Hill Oilers took down the Sheps 4-1. Shepherds starter Roy Washburn turned in his best performance so far this season, as he pitched 3 and two-thirds of one-run ball. Washburn changed speeds throughout and kept the Oilers guessing as he struck out 8.

Chad Ragland provided the only run of the day for the Shepherds with a solo home run to right in the bottom of the first. Ragland also pitched the seventh. This was Ragland's first appearance on the mound this season and stuck out the side. Two-way player Joey Scotvold went 3 for 3 at the plate and also turned in 2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Scotvold ended with half of the Shepherds total hits and, this was the second time this season he finished 3 for 3.

Next Game

The Shepherds have tomorrow night off and will return to action on Friday as they take on the Orange County Legends at 5:00 pm. Fans can watch live on Facebook.com/socalfcabaseball.

Shepherds Beat Orange County Legends; Treyes picks up first win

Sam Reel - LA MIRADA, Calif

BOX SCORE

The newest man on the SoCal Shepherds roster made the difference in the Sheps’ 7-3 win over the Orange County Legends. Cory Treyes was locked in from his first pitch to his last, as he threw four innings of one-run ball with four strikeouts along the way. Treyes just joined the team earlier in the day, and this was his first time pitching in a live game since March.

The offense scored three runs in the bottom of the first and never looked back. Jackson Van Ness stayed hot and led the first inning off with a double to left. Van Ness would then steal third and score on a Sebastian Dunn single. The Shepherds would continue to use their speed throughout the inning as Dunn would steal third and score on a Tanner Smith single, and Smith would later add a stolen base to his ledger as well. Van Ness would add on to the lead in the second, as he drove in two with a single. A Dunn sac fly and a Tommy Acuna RBI single would be all the Shepherds’ bullpen would need.

Andrew White, Josh Ramirez, and Austin Hallman would combine to pitch three innings of two-run ball and seal the Shepherds’ second win of the season.

Other notable performances included a 3 for 3 day by Noah Reitmeyer and a 2 for 2 day by Tanner Smith.

Next Game 

Tomorrow the Shepherds will take on the Signal Hill Oilers at 5:00 pm. Fans can watch live on Facebook.com/socalfcabaseball

Shepherds Drop Battle With Cage Rats

Sam Reel - LA MIRADA, Calif

The Shepherds lost a battle with the California Cage Rats by a final score of 10-7. Walter Roberts started the game for the Shepherds and had his day highlighted by a second inning in which he struck out the side in order. Roberts ended the day after allowing 4 runs. Sebastian Dunn had a terrific all-around personal day both at the plate and in the field. Dunn finished the day 2 for 3 with a sac fly and made several aggressive decisions that lead to extra bases for the Shepherds. Dunn also had a slick play at shortstop, where he caught a line drive and doubled off the runner at first. Another aggressive Shepherd, Jackson Van Ness, finished the day 2 for 4 including a two-run single. That two-run single was part of a 3-run fourth inning and Van Ness took second base on the throw. Van Ness would later steal third and score on an error during the same inning. Gus Zapata was great out of the bullpen for the Sheps, Zapata struck out the side and had the big curveball working throughout the inning. Joey Scotvold, the second baseman, picked up two hits on the day, including an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh that drove in the final run of the game for the Shepherds.

Next Game

Tomorrow the Shepherds will take on the Orange County Legends at 5 pm. You can watch the game live on Facebook.com/socalfcabaseball

Sam Reel talks with Sebastian Dunn and Jackson Van Ness after the Monday Night loss to the California Cage Rats

Shepherds split doubleheader, pickup first win

Sam Reel - LA MIRADA, Calif.

Game One

BOX SCORE

The SoCal Shepherds dropped game one of a doubleheader this afternoon after allowing 17 runs over the seven innings played, the Shepherds scored 7 runs on the day. Right fielder Tanner Smith lead the day offensively for the Sheps, going 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBI. Nathan Weatherly continued his hot start to the 2020 season, also picking up two hits on the day. Pitching was again inconsistent for the Shepherds in game one. Joey Scotvold and Caleb Pollema each looked sharp out of the Shepherd bullpen, with Scotvold striking out four over an inning and two thirds, and Pollema struck out three of the four batters he faced.

Tanner Smith talks with Sam Reel after game one of a doubleheader on July 5.

Game Two

BOX SCORE

The Shepherds won game two of the doubleheader on Sunday afternoon to pick up their first victory of the season. Shepherds’ starter Jacob Brothers was sharp, as he opened the game with three scoreless innings and worked his way out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the third to keep the score 2-0. Tanner Smith continued his hot streak from game one, going 2 for 3 with a three-run home run and an RBI single. Nathan Weatherly hit his second home run of the season with a solo shot to left in the bottom of the second and added an RBI single in the fourth to tie the game at four. Emry Jackson did it all for the Shepherds, starting the game at first base, Jackson drove in two at the plate and then struck out the final batter of the game for the save. The Shepherds are now 1-3 on the season.

Sam Reel talks with Jacob Brothers and Tanner Smith after their first win of the season.

Shepherds lose battle with Long Beach Legends

Sam Reel - LA MIRADA, Calif.

BOX SCORE

8 runs weren’t enough for the Shepherds on Thursday as they surrendered 11 runs on 12 hits. Shepherds starter Roy Washburn looked good in his first appearance of the season, as he struck out a pair in two innings of work while only allowing an unearned run. Third baseman Tommy Acuna III drove in two with a big double in a 3-run bottom of the third that got things rolling on offense for the Shepherds. Reliever Joey Scotvold kept things close with one and a third innings of scoreless baseball to keep the Shepherds within striking distance. The Sheps scored runs in 4 out of the 7 innings played and were only down a run before the Legends added two insurance runs in the top of the 7th.

The Shepherds have two days off before returning to play on Sunday, July 5 in a doubleheader against the Solano Beach Redbirds. Game one will start at 1:00 pm; fans can watch both games live on Facebook.com/socalfcabaseball.