Butte College Roadrunners Sweep Shasta Knights in Three-Game Series

Butte College Roadrunners Sweep Shasta Knights in Three-Game Series

The Butte College Roadrunners completed a dominant sweep over the Shasta College Knights, winning all three games in impressive fashion to improve to 18-9 overall and 9-4 in conference play. The series victory places Butte in second place in the conference, just one game behind Feather River.

Game 1: Butte 3, Shasta 2

In a tightly contested opener in Redding, Butte edged out Shasta with late-game heroics. Starting pitcher Jordan Riley delivered a strong performance, striking out seven over seven innings while allowing just two runs in a no-decision.

The Roadrunners trailed entering the seventh, but Luke Zuromski's leadoff single set the stage for a game-tying RBI from Grant Sonke. In the ninth, Chris Jimenez drew a pinch-hit walk and was replaced by Kinser Day, who promptly stole second. Nathan Brown followed with an RBI single to tie the game at 2-2 before Sonke came through again with a clutch go-ahead single. Closer Gino Marble shut the door in the bottom half, securing his fifth save of the season. Jack Walden earned the win after striking out the side in a crucial eighth inning.

Game 2: Butte 10, Shasta 0 (8 Innings, 10-Run Rule)

Butte's offense erupted in Game 2, cruising to a dominant shutout victory in eight innings. The Roadrunners struck early with three first-inning runs, highlighted by a two-run single from Trent Van Nuys.

A big fourth inning saw Butte extend its lead as Aidan Santos ripped a two-run single, and Van Nuys added another RBI. The Roadrunners continued to capitalize on Shasta's mistakes, and by the eighth inning, Van Nuys' two-run single sealed the mercy-rule victory.

Mason Ali was lights-out on the mound, tossing seven scoreless innings before Will Garduno closed it out in the eighth for a combined shutout.

Game 3: Butte 9, Shasta 2

The Roadrunners completed the sweep with another well-rounded performance. Butte took an early lead on a Riley Pimentel RBI groundout before breaking the game open with a five-run sixth inning.

Carter Imbach, who reached on a hit-by-pitch, stole second and advanced to third on a balk. Alonso Rivera then delivered a two-run single, followed by an RBI double from Sonke. An error and a Brent Gallegos RBI single capped off the explosive frame. Jack Walden earned his second win of the weekend, improving to 4-1 on the season.

Road Ahead

With the sweep, Butte remains firmly in the playoff hunt as they prepare for a crucial doubleheader on Friday, followed by the series finale on Saturday. The Roadrunners will look to continue their strong form as they wrap up the first half of conference play.