Bucs Tie and Fall to CA Bucs in Doubleheader, Drop Three-Game Series

Ryder Edwards pitches at LA Valley College June, 2022. Photo by Maddy Whiting

The GCCL Bucs concluded their three game set against the CA Bucs at Conejo Creek Park in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, by playing a doubleheader. After dropping the first game of the series in extras, the GCCL Bucs were able to keep the game even, eventually tying the first game at 3. The GCCL squad was unable to salvage the series, dropping the second game of their doubleheader by a score of 5-2 and with a series record of 0-2-1.

The Bucs sent right-hander Ryder Edwards to start the first game of the doubleheader, who was looking to repeat the same success he had in his previous start. Before even throwing a pitch, Edwards had the lead on his side, as Ventura County tacked on two runs in the top of the first inning, capped off by an RBI double from Michael Choi.

After an easy first inning, Edwards faced trouble from the CA bats, as a costly error gave way for a three run second inning. From the third inning until his final pitch, Edwards settled for a pitch-to-contact approach, relying on his defense to ensure the outs. Despite not recording a decision, Edwards finished with an overall statline of 5.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, and 2 K, while tossing an astounding 109 pitches.

When asked about the workload he’s been given over his past three starts, Edwards stated, “The managers have a ton of trust in me. Keeping my arm healthy is the biggest thing for me, and the one thing I do is long toss each and every day– even off days.”

Over his last three starts, Edwards has pitched 16.2 IP with 15 K, while accumulating an impressive combined ERA of 0.54.

Both the GCCL Bucs and CA Bucs faced trouble gathering runs after the fifth inning, and the first game resulted in a tie, with each team scoring three runs.

The second game of the double header wasn’t as easy for GCCL to catch fire on offense. The Bucs turned to Justin Pauly (L, 1-1) to start the second game of the day, and he fell victim to another CA rally within his first three innings of work, this time with a four run third inning. Righty Logan Tourville was brought on to relieve Pauly after the third, and dominated in three innings of one run ball, striking out three and not allowing a single walk in the process.

The Bucs were only able to generate two baserunners through the first three innings. After tacking on two runs in the fourth to cut the deficit in half, Ventura County was blanked through the next three innings, putting on only one baserunner in the final three innings.

As a team, the Bucs posted a combined ERA of 2.77 in the doubleheader, while striking out eight hitters and only walking four. The Bucs on offense in the doubleheader failed to show signs of consistency. The Bucs hitters in the first game came out strong, hitting to a team batting average of exactly .300, with a team OPS of .720. The second game saw the Bucs muster just two hits as a team, carrying a team batting average of just .091 and a team OPS drop by 400 points to just .320.

The GCCL Bucs will wrap up their week of play on Sunday, as they will take on CV Baseball at Stengel Field in Glendale, with first pitch scheduled for 5:00 p.m.