Bucs Rally Late In 7-5 Win

Evan Kang swings at a pitch at LA Valley College. Photo by Izzy De Souza

Coming off a double header Saturday versus The California Bucs. The GCCL Bucs were given pitching reinforcements for their matchup versus The Crescenta Valley Falcons winning in seven innings by a final score of 7-5.

Starting for the Bucs was RHP Deandrey Carter. Carter has been lights out all season for the Ventura County Pirates boasting an impressive 2.20 ERA with a 3-2 record. Today however, he was on the mound representing the Bucs. Carter was a victim of errors from the defense behind him allowing Crescenta Valley to score one. He finished his outing going 3 IP, 6 H, 3 K and 3 ER.

As for the offense, first baseman Brandon Cuervo got it started in the second inning when he roped a double down the left field line.

“They were throwing a lot of fastballs,” said Cuervo. “I was looking to drive one of those cause they kept giving me offspeeds early in the count and luckily it went my way.”

Cuervo would proceed to steal third base then score on an RBI groundout by right fielder Maximo Garcia.

In the following inning the Bucs showed their ability to score with two outs when extra hitter Alex Howard drew a walk and second baseman Anthony DeLuca followed that up with a single putting Howard and DeLuca on second and third. Both runners would eventually score on a wild pitch cutting Crescenta Valley lead to one.

With Crescenta Valley leading 5-3 in the 4th inning, RHP Reese Mattheissen entered in relief for Carter. Mattheissen allowed one run in his first inning of work but after that he didn’t allow a single hit the rest of the way looking in complete control. He ended his outing with 4 IP, 2 H, 5 K and 1 ER.

The Bucs bats stayed quiet through the middle innings but once the sixth rolled around, the bats came alive. Center fielder Jaden Rez reached base via a walk and then Cuervo would score him on another double in the gap. Cuervo would see himself come around and score from a single by third baseman Austin Schaefer.

The runs wouldn't stop there because it was a tie game, bases loaded and two outs when Cuervo stepped up to the plate again in the last inning. Cuervo, who already had two hits on the night, was looking for the go-ahead hit and got exactly what he was looking for. Cuervo singled through the left side scoring two, giving the Bucs their first lead of the game at 7-5.

“I was just trying to put the ball in play,” said Cuervo. “Not the best contact from me but the ball found a hole like it does sometimes.”

The Bucs held the Falcons off in their bottom half giving them the 7-5 win. Their next game is a doubleheader Friday, July 15 at Los Angeles Valley College versus The Coastal Dodgers with first pitch scheduled at 1:30 pm. For more information visit the @vcbucs on Instagram, @VCBucs on twitter, and @vcbucs on Facebook.