BOX SCORE
The So-Cal shepherds won a barnburner by the score of 12-8 at Citrus College against the Inland Valley Bucs. Down 8-3 in the fifth, the Sheps scored nine unanswered runs in two innings to take the lead and ultimately the win to move the record to 8-6.
The bats started out hot in today's game as a leadoff walk from Aaron Zubiate was followed by back to back singles from Shane Poe and Drew Salyers to load the bases for the Sheps with no outs. The Sheps would only get one run from the opportunity as a Sac fly from JP Hefft would score one before two straight fly-outs would get the Buccaneers out of the jam as the Sheps took the 1-0 lead in the top of the first.
The Inland Valley Bucs would respond in the bottom of the second as two RBI singles and a passed ball would score three as they took the lead 3-1.
However, The Buccaneers were not done in the inning as a two out, three-run home run would give the Bucs a six run inning and break the game wide open with a 6-1 lead going into the third inning.
A Two-run double for the Shepherds in the very next inning cut the lead to three as Brenden Coffindaffer was able to drive in two and get his team back into the game making it 6-3.
The Bucs would extend their lead with two runs in the fourth to make it 8-3 before the Sheps came up to bat in the fifth.
In the fifth, the Sheps were able to get the first three runners on base before another bases loaded double for Brenden Coffindaffer brought in his third and fourth RBI’s of the game. Andrew White would bring another in as the Sheps scored three to get back in this game with a score of 6-8.
The inning was not over as a two-run home run over the left field fence from Alex Laureano tied the game at eight. KJ Moo-Young would break the tie just two batters later as a single up the middle would get by the centerfielder and roll to the wall, allowing Sam Rudd to score as well as Moo-Young who came all the way around to score on the inside-the park home run.
A seven run inning for the Sheps gave them the lead and brought the score to 10-8.
The Sheps would score two more in the sixth to give them some insurance runs and extend their lead to four at 12-8 as the Shepherds scored nine unanswered runs.
Charlie Pierce came into the game in the fourth and gave up two runs in his first inning before settling in and shutting the Bucs down in the next four innings including eight strikeouts.
Cameron Kelley would come in and close out the 12-8 win to get his third save of the year and give the Sheps back-to-back wins.
The Shepherds will look for three in a row at home on July 10th against the East LA Dodgers at 4PM . To stay up to date on all things Shepherds baseball follow us on Instagram (@shepherds_baseball), Twitter (@SoCalShpherds), Facebook (Southern California FCA Baseball) and our new Tiktok (@Shepherdsbaseball).