Hooks Up, Dirt Beggs!
The Providence Christian College baseball team kicked off California Pacific Conference play traveling north to Redding, CA to face the Simpson University Red Hawks. The Sea Beggars were motivated and prepared for this matchup after starting the season having faced several solid programs. In a thrilling three game series between the Sea Beggars and Red Hawks on February 23rd and 24th, the games featured back-and-forth action with both teams showcasing strong performances.
The series opened with a close and competitive game on Friday, with both teams taking turns leading on the scoreboard. The game started off slow, with both teams having a difficult time scoring in the first few innings. After Simpson took a 1-0 lead in the third inning, the Beggars fought back in the fifth inning with a single from Kyle Fuller, scoring Jackson Maples to tie the game. Simpson regained the lead in the fifth inning at 3-1, however the Beggars responded in the sixth inning with Nathan Oliveira hitting a double and bringing in Cody Leonard, followed by Jackson Maples hitting a single to bring in Victor Vega, and Brandon McCray wrapped up the inning driving in Oliveira for a 4-3 lead. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Simpson scored to tie the game, making for a wild finish. Still tied in the bottom of the ninth inning and with everyone on the edge of their seats, Simpson loaded the bases with 1 out. With one swing, Simpson walked off with a single and won the game with a final score of 5-4.
The two teams picked up where they left off on Friday with two more electrifying games on Saturday. In the first game, Isaac Vasquez had a solid outing on the mound despite the team's defense faltering. Simpson started the game with 4 runs in the first inning. Then, the Beggars' offense caught fire and scored 4 runs on just 4 hits with Kyle Fuller and Cameron Stokley each contributing RBIs and tied the game at 4-4. After a scoreless third inning, the Sea Beggars' errors cost them some runs and allowed Simpson to take a 10-4 lead by the end of the fifth inning. Simpson's pitchers did not give up any hits for the rest of the game. Even though Simpson made it difficult for Providence, the Sea Beggars made sure to turn the page at the end of the first game and refocus on the next game.
The Sea Beggars concentrated on the next game, fought hard and hoped to get a win. The Beggars got on the board first in the second inning when Jackson Maples stole second and advanced to third on an error, allowing Michael Sanchez to score. However, Simpson quickly responded in the bottom of the inning with a two-run homer for a 2-1 lead. In the following inning, the Sea Beggars regained a 4-2 lead thanks to RBI hits from Nathan Oliveira and Kyle Fuller and a sacrifice fly from Isaiah Ayala. Simpson continued to chip away at the lead though, tying the game at 4-4 in the fifth inning. In the top of the seventh inning, the Sea Beggars took back the lead at 5-4 with Oliveira hitting a single and driving in Maples. Although the Sea Beggars were anxious to get a win, they gave up a solo home run to tie the game and made a few errors that led to Simpson taking the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning at 7-5. Despite the loss, it was an exciting game that showcased the talent and determination of both teams, making for an exciting matchup for the fans in attendance.
When asked about his thoughts on the series, senior Cody Leonard responded, "Throughout the Simpson series, we encountered many places for growth in the future. Pitching is one of those glaring places of needed growth. However, what outshines all the negatives of the weekend is the team's never-give-up attitude and our unwillingness to go down without a fight. The most important thing a team needs is tenacity, and we definitely have it. I look forward to getting into more dogfights this season." Assistant coach Eric Fuller added, "At the end of the day, Simpson executed when they needed to and we weren't. That being said, I am proud of how the guys are competing right now. We are taking baby steps in the right direction, and sooner or later that will be represented in the win column."
The Sea Beggar baseball team returns to the field tomorrow as they hope to get back in the win column against Southern California Leadership University at 10 a.m. at Glendale Sports Complex. The Sea Beggars continue to progress forward and will be ready for the upcoming conference games ahead.