Bucs Bats Provide the Heavy Lifting in Season Opener

Dominic Cervantes makes contact on a swing against the Arroyo Seco Royals Thursday. Photo by Jacob Macofsky

The SBL Bucs held their first game of the 2022 season against the Arroyo Seco Royals Thursday, June 9th 2022, dropping the opener by a final score of 10-7. It was a competitive game on both sides, as both teams put up over 10 hits and walked at least five times in the game.

The energy in the dugout was vibrant, as the Bucs came into this game with excitement and intensity.

On the bump for the Bucs was right-handed starter Nate Burke, looking to make an impact for his team right out of the gate. While Burke only managed to pitch 3 innings and finished with a No Decision, he was able to settle down after the first inning, combining for a final line of three hits, four runs (only one earned run), a walk, and three strikeouts. Burke was also able to get necessary run support, as the Bucs offense lit up the scoreboard for five runs in the first three innings.

Right-hander Ricardo Martinez relieved Burke and shut down the Royals offense in his final two innings after grinding through his first. Martinez’s overall performance resulted in 3.0 IP, three hits allowed, three earned runs, four walks, and an impressive five strikeouts.

Tasked with holding the deficit to where it stood was reliever Jakub Amado (0-1), who came on to pitch two solid innings of relief. It was in the top of the eighth inning where the Royals broke a 7-7 tie to bring in three runs and take a lead that would become the game’s ultimate outcome.

Left-handed reliever Ian Nord was called upon to keep the deficit where it stood. Nord in his season debut pitched a scoreless inning, while not allowing a hit, and striking out one.

While potent, the Bucs offense came up just short. Catcher Dominic Cervantes led the way for his club, going 1-3 with a walk and driving in three runs. Despite his club coming up short, Cervantes was excited to just get to work and try to do the best that he can for his team.

“I’m excited to see more hits– more hits, more runs, more catches. It’s going to be a fun ride this year.”

Other key offensive contributors included center fielder Kai Moran, who went 2-5 with a run scored and shortstop Jonathan Chavez, who went 1-3 with a double, two walks, a run batted in and two runs scored.

The SBL Bucs host their next game against the California Cage Rats Saturday at Los Angeles Valley College, with first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m.