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Coming off a tough 6-5 loss against the Philippines national team. The Ventura County Bucs (10-9) (10-7 Sunset Baseball League) could not complete the season sweep against the CA Cage Rats (4-13), losing by a final score of 4-2 at Claremont High School.
“We played pretty well, we just didn't put the ball in play,” said Bucs head coach Evan O’ Meara. “Their first guy kept us off balance at the plate and [we] didn't capitalize on our oppurtunities.”
Getting the nod for the Bucs was RHP Mason Kim (1-1). Kim has made his fair share of appearances so far this season as he has 18 innings pitched. Kim worked through the first inning with ease retiring all three batters in order but fell victim to an error in the second bringing one run in to score. Kim finished his day early with 2 IP, 2 H and 0 ER.
In relief for Kim entered two-way player Thomas Keller. Unlike Kim, Keller has barely begun to pitch as he only has 3 innings under his belt. Today, he changed that going a solid four innings providing much needed rest for the pitching staff. Keller was effective through his first three innings of work but it wasn’t till the sixth inning when the Cage Rats scored 4 runs. Keller had performed well regardless of the score and finished his outing with 4 innings pitched, 4 H, 3 ER and 6 K.
Trailing 4-0, The Bucs offense showed signs of life when first baseman Jack Bickerton led off the seventh inning with a walk, followed by an absolute moonshot of a home run by catcher Tren Turquand making for his first round-tripper of the season.
The score was 4-2 in the seventh when the Bucs turned to another two-way player to relieve Keller. Anthony Chavez, who hasn’t made a single appearance all year, pitched two shutout innings. Chavez finished his outing with 2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER and 2 K.
“I was really happy with how the pitchers threw today,” said O’Meara. “You got to tip your cap to all the guys that went out there today because they did well, but they’re all position players.”
Unfortunately for the Bucs, Turquand’s home run was the only thing to show for as they were not able to scratch across any more runs. The Bucs lost by a final score of 4-2.
They will look to bounce back Thursday evening as they’re back at home versus the Quakes at Los Angeles Valley College with first pitch scheduled for 4 PM PST. For more information visit the @vcbucs on Instagram, @VCBucs on twitter, and @vcbucs on Facebook.
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