Huntington Beach, Calif. - Rustler baseball (14-11, 2-6) has increased their losing streak to four games after a tough Santa Ana team defeated them 12-6 on Thursday.
The Dons have successfully taken down the Rustler pitching staff over the first two games of the series, tallying a total of 20 runs and 24 hits.
"We are not a very tough team, and that's on me. I am the head coach, I recruited them, I coach them," Head Coach Andrew Ramos said. "This is our third series in conference and we have been out-toughed each series."
Starting Pitcher Brett Wozniak saw four innings, giving up a go-ahead three-run homerun in the second inning. At the conclusion of his outing, he was responsible for five runs, four walks, and four strikeouts.
Luke Higgins was on the mound for 1 2/3 innings, giving up two runs, two walks, and one strikeout. This game ultimately landed on the shoulders of Higgins, earning him his first loss of the season.
With the game tied 5-5 and two outs on the board in the sixth inning, a call to the bullpen sent reliever Fino Amador to the mound for the Rustlers. After walking the first batter faced, a two-run single to second base broke the tie. Calling this batter safe at first not only gave the Dons a 7-5 lead, but also shattered the bit of momentum the Rustlers had for the remainder of the game.
Shortstop Steven Casas led the team in hitting with two singles and a triple. Casas, who has nine hits through eight conference games, got bumped from the three hole to the five spot for Thursday's matchup.
"He's been struggling since conference started, so I just wanted to get him out of that three hole [and] maybe relieve some of the pressure," Ramos said. "He did well today, but unfortunately, the guy we moved to the three spot was 0 for 5, so we haven't been able to get things synced up together."
The Rustlers have also made defensive moves since conference play started. Second baseman Miles Jenkins has been moved over to the hot corner, while third baseman Davis Hildebrandt has taken over at second. Dylan Kordic remains at first base and Casas remains at short, which seems to be working out well for this Golden West team in the recent series.
"You know, balls on the ground, we expect them to be outs, and for the most part recently that has been the case," Ramos said.
"They have to come ready to fight. [Santa Ana] is talented, tough, and they grind," Ramos said. "I think they had nine runs scored with two outs – that's toughness. We have to be ready to come out victorious."
NEXT: Golden West will finish off the series away at Santa Ana on Friday at 2 p.m.
Written By Marissa Lavezzari
