Bucs Beat Sentinels in Pitchers Duel

It was a close game for all nine innings, but in the end the Ventura County Buccaneers outlasted the Arroyo Seco Sentinels for a 4-2 win, improving their Sunset League record to 2-2.

Bucs pitcher Drew Atherton threw for five scoreless innings in his quality start, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out seven Arroyo Seco batters. Reliever Luke Hempel kept the game close in his two innings of work, allowing just one run in the top of the seventh, which the Bucs immediately answered in the bottom half of the inning. Closer Josh Kim earned the save with no earned runs in the final two innings of the ballgame.

Leadoff hitter Shaun Montoya went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and two runs scored. Montoya's second run was the Bucs' eventual game-winner, as Joseph Avrahamy drove him home with a double to deep left center field in the sixth inning. Kenny Kim also had an RBI triple in his only time at bat, scoring Troy Anderson as an insurance run.

The Bucs hit the road for their next game, facing the OC Pirates on Thursday at Cypress College. First pitch is slated for 4:00 PM.