West Ranch senior Garren Bui has been starting at designated hitter against left-handed pitchers.
Saugus seemingly only has lefties.
Bui, a right-handed hitter, jump-started West Ranch’s offense Thursday and then capped its sixth-inning scoring surge in an 8-3 win over host Saugus.
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“He had a pretty big day,” said West Ranch coach Casey Burrill, whose team improved to 3-0 in Foothill League play (7-3 overall).
Bui’s towering, opposite field triple off lefty starter Brandyn Cruz in the top of the second inning carried, carried, carried and fell just beyond the glove of a diving Tony Jacob Jr. in right field.
Ryan Camacho and Austin Hernandez scampered around to score on the play, West Ranch’s only runs until Camacho’s RBI single in the fifth.
Camacho’s base knock broke a 2-2 tie and preluded a five-run outburst in the sixth.
Christos Stefanos’ two-run single served as the frame’s big blow. Bui’s run-scoring single off lefty reliever Bobby Garcia was the final blow.
It was more than enough, even on a day when West Ranch ace Timmy Josten didn’t have his usual pinpoint control.
Josten allowed nine hits and two earned runs over five innings. He struck out five and walked two, escaping one-out, bases-loaded jams in the second and third innings with minimal damage.
“Timmy had to battle today,” Burrill said. “He wasn’t the strike thrower he’s been in the past, maybe didn’t have his best stuff. … But he continued to battle and go over 100 pitches and get us in position where we’re in the ball game and could win.”
JC Choy, Cruz, Jacob Jr. and Chase Lindemann each recorded two hits for Saugus (3-9, 1-2).
Cruz pitched 4 2/3 solid innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits. He struck out five and walked three.
The teams were slated to play Wednesday, but the game was postponed due to weather concerns.
Saugus plays at Hart today. West Ranch will look to remain unbeaten at Canyon.
“We’re really pleased where we stand now,” Burrill said. “But we still have been advocates for, ‘It’s never where you start, it’s always where you finish.’”
