Plus, scores from around the Foothill League
Following a loss to Oaks Christian on Saturday in non-league play, the Saugus Centurions bounced back in Foothill League baseball play with a 11-2 win on the road over the Valencia Vikings and secured their eighth win of the season.
“I just felt like we showed up today, and we’ve been working all week on this approach, and I thought the boys followed that approach and executed it really well today,” Saugus head coach Mike Miller said.
On the mound, left-hander Gavin Diaz started the game for the Centurions (8-6, 4-1) and began the contest with two scoreless innings.
The Vikings (5-8-1, 0-2-1) started Dexton Otton, who held the Centurions’ lineup at the plate as he tallied three strikeouts in the first two innings.
In the third inning, the Centurions’ hitters got to Otton and added five runs to the scoreboard.
But not without any controversy.
With two runners on, Joey Nuttall launched a then-called home run to left field that the home plate umpire called fair. But after a challenge from the Vikings’ coaching staff, the call was reversed.
Nuttall responded back with a one-run single and, after the game, Miller said he’s proud of his team’s response to the umpire’s call for still playing the game and not letting the moment get to them.
“I think offensively, we stuck to our game plan. Joey Nuttall has been hitting the ball well right now and I think all the hitters are getting up there and having good at-bats,” he said.
In the seventh inning, Nuttall hit a leadoff home run to extend the Centurions’ lead over Valencia after the Vikings added two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Nuttall ended the day 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs driven in. Logan Feldman had the biggest day at the plate for Saugus as he went 2-for-4 and drove in four runs.
On the mound, Diaz ended the day as the winning pitcher with 4.2 innings pitched, two hits, one run and four strikeouts.
Diaz was relieved in the fifth inning by junior Tyler Roberts, who ended the day allowing just one hit and one strikeout.
Evan Conrad had the biggest day at the plate for the Vikings as he went 1-for-3 with one double and one run driven.
The Centurions have now won four straight league games and, with the recent momentum, Miller is hoping his team can build upon it and keep up the winning streak.
“This league is daunting. Every team is really good and can beat anyone at any time,” he said. “And that is how we have to play every game because all the Foothill League teams are very good.”
The series between the Centurions and Vikings picks back up on Friday at Saugus High School with first pitch scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
After Wednesday’s games, here are scores from around the Foothill League:
West Ranch 11, Canyon 1: The West Ranch Wildcats (6-9, 4-1) secured their fourth league win of the season with a victory over the Cowboys (6-7, 0-5).
The Wildcats’ lineup added 14 hits with the biggest day at the plate coming from Blake Johnson, who went 3-for-4, drove in three runs and a home run.
Canyon tallied eight hits in the loss but only brought in one run across the plate from Cruz Dunagan. Dunagan ended the day 1-for-3 at the plate.
The series between the Cowboys and Wildcats picks back up on Friday at Canyon High School with first pitch scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
Castaic 4, Golden Valley 1: The Castaic Coyotes (8-6, 3-2) picked up their second league win in a row with a victory on the road over the Golden Valley Grizzlies (6-4, 0-3).
Orion Gonzalez had the biggest day at the plate for the Coyotes as he went 2-for-4, drove in one run and a double.
Jonathan Villanueva brought in the lone run of the day for the Grizzlies in the bottom of the fourth inning with a single as he went 1-for-3 at the plate.
The series between the Grizzlies and Coyotes picks back up on Friday at Golden Valley High School with first pitch scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
Photos below from the Centurion’s win over Valencia:
