LA MIRADA Calif. – Joey Linn
The So Cal Shepherds had a big day on Thursday, taking both games of their double header against the Signal Hill Oilers. The two games were very different from each other, although both ended in wins for the Shepherds. Game 1 was started by Philip Wall, who is quickly emerging ads a pitching ace for the team. Wall dealt with some misfortune early in the game, when some runners reached base via soft hit balls that happened to find grass. He settled in, however, and was able to cruise through the next 5 innings.
In game 2, the Shepherds handed the ball to Joey Scottvold. Coming off his high school graduation, Joey was quickly acclimated by being thrown in to start his first collegiate level baseball game. Joey, like Phil in game 1, surrendered a run early. This run would ultimately be the only one scored off of him all game, as he went 8 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, and got the W.
Moments that mattered:
The Shepherds took game 1 by a score of 6-4. The difference in the game was when cleanup hitter Austin Caulk stepped up to the plate, trailing by a run, and crushed a hanging breaking ball over the left field wall for a go-ahead homer. This ignited a flame in the offense for the Shepherds that would not be extinguished the rest of the day.
Clutch heroics were not needed in game 2, as the Shepherds handled this one from start to finish. With a final score of 14-1, there are more than enough offensive highlights to speak on. A turning point in the game was when the ever so popular Florida boys did what they do. It started like it always does, with a single by Sebastian Dunn. He advanced to 3rd on a beautifully executed hit and run by Colton Back, and the eventually scored and the hit by Chad Ragland. Another exciting play came late in the game, when it was already out of reach. Brett Cobb stepped up to the plate in the bottom half of the 6th with an 11-1 lead, and send a middle in fastball to what would have been on the parking structure if it weren’t for the net in left field. This 3-run blast capped off a 14-1 game 2 win for the Sheps.
Next Game:
The next game for the Shepherds will be at home on Saturday, June 8that 1:00 PM. This will be game 1 of a double header against the same Sliders team that he Shepherds handled on opening day.