THOUSAND OAKS, CA – The Arroyo Seco Saints (5-3) paid a visit to the Conejo Oaks (5-3) at Sparky Anderson Field for the second time this season.  

Last Sunday, the Oaks defeated the Saints with a final score of 11-2. With an off day in between for both teams, each side was ready to play.  

After two back-to-back losses, the Saints were looking to get back on track against the reigning California Collegiate League Champions.  

Saints’ veteran, Brady Nelson (St Cloud State), shared what his mindset was like leading up to the game.  

“Taking that off day seriously, getting in the gym, locking in, and taking it personally,” Nelson explained.  

The Oaks were looking to pick up their sixth win of the season and continue to dominate against the Saints.  

In the first two innings, the Saints offense stayed quiet, but starting pitcher Tyler Herges (Azusa Pacific University) dominated on the bump against the Oaks’ offense.  

Jonny Garber (Arizona State University), Keon Moseni (University of Central Arkansas), and Lane Haworth (Wichita State) kick started the Saints’ offense with single base hits in the 3rd.  

Trotter Enright (Long Beach State) picked up an RBI walk to bring in Garber. Joey Milto (Transfer Portal) followed with an RBI single to add another run to the board. Jack Little (Baylor University) kept the momentum with another RBI single, tallying the score to 3-0.  

The Oaks offense attempted to fight back with base hits from Jax Gimenez (U of Oregon) and Tyler Holley (Cal State Fullerton), but the rest of the Oaks’ hitters couldn’t push them across.  

Head Coach Aaron Milam chose Nelson to face the Oaks on the bump next, and he kept them scoreless.  

Through the 4th and 5th innings, neither team could muster up any runs. However, the Saints took charge again in the 6th, with an RBI double from Jacob Freer (Azusa Pacific University). Enright hit an RBI single to push Freer across. After six innings, the Saints were still in the lead 5-0.  

The next two innings remained scoreless for both sides, but the Saints were not done yet. In the 9th, Freer added a single to start off the inning. Enright, Milto, and Levi Maddela (Shorter University) put up RBIs to add three runs to the Saints’ lead.  

The Saints’ pitching staff shut down the Oaks’ offense through all nine innings, with a final score of 8-0.  

“I mean you’ve got to be proud of our starter with three innings, and our closers,” Nelson said. “Even the guys who went one [inning], those are the important pieces of the puzzle right there.”  

Tuesday night was a complete team effort with eight runs from the Saints’ offense and a shutout for the pitching staff.  

Looking ahead, the Saints will be on the road against the San Luis Obispo Blues at Sinsheimer Field on Thursday night. The first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. PST.  

Contributors:

• Saints reporter Taylor Dowdy (Arizona)
• Edited by Saints reporter Nick Olquin (Ashland)
• Saints photographer Bella Calagna (Trinity College)