The Southwestern League’s baseball action continues to capture the excitement of fans as teams completed another three-game series, wrapping up their third week of league play. Each game was crucial as teams aimed to solidify their standings with only two weeks left in the regular season. In this parity driven league, the chance to make the playoffs isn’t inconceivable for any of these persevering teams as we take a look at what went down this past week.
Chaparral Pumas vs. Great Oak
The Chaparral Pumas (12-6) commenced the week with an assertive stance against Great Oak last Monday, April 8. Their early vigor, racking up five runs on Wolfpack starter Kaysen Raineri (5 strikeouts, 3 walks), set the stage for a 7-1 victory. Braylon Doughty emerged as a stonewall on the mound, with a solid seven-inning stint, allowing a mere run and striking out nine. Not to go unmentioned are Grant Israel (2 RBIs) and Darin Osterloh (2 for 4), who delivered key hits to power the Pumas. Reagan Ricken went 1-for-3 on the day and batted in the only Wolfpack run.
Tuesday saw Chaparral secure another triumph, outpacing Great Oak with a convincing 6-2 scoreline. The day belonged to Jonas Ballesteros and his stellar pitching performance. He allowed three hits and zero runs over four innings, striking out one and walking one Although Gavin Fien’s home run lit a spark for Great Oak (12-8) in the seventh inning, it wasn’t enough to overturn the Pumas’ lead. Roy Kim took the loss for Great Oak as Ethan Udell tossed two innings of zero-run ball for Chaparral in relief. Israel led the Pumas with two runs batted in and went 2-for-3 on the day.
Yet, the triumph was balanced by the Wolfpack’s roar of redemption in Game Three. This nail-biter at Great Oak’s lair turned in their favor, 7-2, late in the game thanks to Logan Washizaki as he went 2 for 4 on the day with two RBIs and had two stolen bases.
Vista Murrieta Broncos vs. Murrieta Valley Nighthawks
The reigning champion Vista Murrieta Broncos galloped to a hefty 12-4 win over the Murrieta Valley Nighthawks in Monday’s showcase. The Broncos (13-5), in a stampede of sorts, corralled 14 hits overall and had six runs in a single inning, with Vaughn Neckar leading the charge both at the plate and on the mound. He surrendered one hit, giving up two earned runs, striking out five and walking three. He also led the Broncos with three runs batted in and went 2-for-5 on the day. RJ Holmes went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead Vista Murrieta in hits. Easton Wagoner took the loss for Murrieta Valley (13-7).
Tuesday witnessed a closer tussle, but yet again, the Broncos bested the Nighthawks, 3-2. Strategic hits by Neckar and Jorge Rodriguez’s pitching mastery spun the narrative in Vista Murrieta’s favor. Rodriguez surrendered zero hits and zero runs over five innings, striking out three and walking four. Dylan Berentis collected the save. Neckar led Vista Murrieta with two runs batted in and went1-for-3 on the day. Riley Kujawa and Jesiah Generoso each drove in one run for Murrieta Valley.
Completing a series sweep, a first for any of the SWL teams, an 8-3 win on Thursday underlined the Broncos’ supremacy, marking their eighth consecutive win. Gavin Kramer took the win after giving up six hits and three runs over seven innings, striking out four batters and walking one. Taytum Reeves led the Broncos at the plate with his 2 for 3 day, plating 2 RBIs. Charlie Black took the loss for the Nighthawks, who were led at the plate by Jesiah Generoso with his 2 for 3 day. Senior Rain McMillan had two of the three RBIs for Murrieta Valley.
Temecula Valley vs. Murrieta Mesa
Temecula Valley (12-6-1) and Murrieta Mesa (14-6) faced off in a pitcher’s duel on Monday, with a slender 2-0 victory going to the Golden Bears. Clutch hitting in the sixth inning propelled Temecula Valley with Chase Hilt and Stone Tucker orchestrating the scoring. Taden Krogsgaard earned the win after he allowed three hits and zero runs over seven innings, striking out seven and walking none. CJ Moran went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead Murrieta Mesa in hits. Hilt and Stone Tucker each collected two hits for Temecula Valley and each drove in one run apiece. Tanner Blackmon took the loss after he allowed six hits and two runs over six innings, striking out two and walking none.
Murrieta Mesa fired back on Tuesday as they evened the series with a close-knit 3-2 win. A resilient home field advantage has been the Rams’ stronghold this season as they have yet to drop a game on their turf. Murrieta Mesa captured the lead in the bottom of the third after Blackmon singled, and Josiah Giron doubled, each scoring one run. Giron earned the win while Logan Long took the loss for Temecula Valley. Dylan Wellcome collected the save for the Rams. Giron also led Murrieta Mesa with two runs batted in and went 2-for-3 on the day. Isaiah Rauseo went 1-for-3 at the plate and led the team with one run batted in for Temecula Valley.
The series culminated with a resounding 14-2 victory for Temecula Valley in Game Three. An offensive onslaught, complemented by Cody Liscio’s dominant pitching, skewed the game beyond the Rams’ reach. The Golden Bears pummeled the Rams for 15 hits, capitalizing on five Murrieta Mesa errors. Liscio struck out seven batters, giving up only two hits with zero earned runs. Jesse Bustamante would get the loss for the Rams. Josh Pinnel and Liscio had three hits for Temecula Valley. Giron collected another two hits in his three at bats for Murrieta Mesa.
Current Standings and Week Ahead
After three invigorating weeks, the leaderboard features the Vista Murrieta Broncos leading the pack at 6-3, Chaparral is putting up a fight at 5-4, Temecula Valley joins Chaparral with a 5-4 record, Murrieta Valley and Murrieta Mesa are neck-and-neck at 4-5,and Great Oak is still in the race with a 3-6 standing.
Looking ahead to next week, the Broncos will tackle the visceral vibe of Rams field in dual encounters within their three-game series. Additionally, Chaparral will host Murrieta Valley twice, while Temecula Valley beckons Great Oak to their turf for two bouts. Games are slated for 3:30 pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
Mark your calendars and fasten your seatbelts, folks, for another week of captivating baseball performances in the parity driven heart-throbbing Southwestern League!
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