Huntington Beach, Calif. - The Rustler baseball team proved hitting to be contagious in their doubleheader sweep, 11-2 and 15-10, against Santa Barbara at home on Saturday.
After nearly a seven-hour day, the Rustlers successfully crossed home plate 26 times, improving their record to 3-2.
"I challenged them pretty aggressively on Thursday after the way that they played," Head Coach Andrew Ramos said. "I thought we played much more heads-up baseball. We played hard, had really good at-bats, [and] we answered back really well."
Game One
Despite being down 2-0 to the Vaqueros in the third inning, the Rustler offense did not let it stop them from putting together hits and bringing their teammates home. In the eighth inning, the Rustlers rallied and put up seven runs, including a standout performance off the bench by Luis Gutierrez who hit a single that brought in two runners, increasing the Rustlers lead 8-2. In total, Rustlers were able to score 11 runs off of 12 hits.
Not only was the offense on top of their game, the Rustler pitching staff had an impressive outing, holding the Vaqueros at two runs for the remainder of the game. Starter Jason Blood went five innings, allowing four hits, two runs, two walks, and struck out eight batters. Luke Higgins took over the last four innings giving up one hit and retired three batters.
Game Two
Both teams played an evenly matched game up until the Rustler offense became unstoppable in the bottom of the fifth inning following a game-tying 2-run blast by Zech Samayoa.
"It was a great, dynamic day, [but] celebrating with the boys is definitely the best of it," Samayoa said. "This is our field, it's a home game, and we have to protect the Hoov."
Out of the 15 runs scored by the Rustlers, Samayoa was responsible for five, the most memorable being his second home run of the season. On the pitching side, the Vaqueros faced five Rustler pitchers. Johnnie Valdez Jr allowed five runs (four earned) over four innings and handed it over to the bullpen to complete the ballgame.
"We didn't beat ourselves, [instead we] forced them to beat us, and unfortunately for them they couldn't do it," Ramos said. "If we continue to do that we are going to be hard to beat."
NEXT: Golden West will host Pasadena City at home on Tuesday starting at 2 p.m.
Postgame Interview with Coach Ramos
Written By Marissa Lavezzari
