PASADENA, CA — In their second game of the season, the Arroyo Seco Saints host the MLB Academy Barons for their first California Collegiate League (CCL) matchup.

Last night, the Saints fell to the undefeated San Diego Waves in a high-scoring game of 12-9. As the second inning came to a close, the Saints started off strong and led 2-0.

In a back-and-forth game, the Waves tied the Saints 2-2 in the fourth inning. After a scoreless inning, the Waves got a go-ahead RBI, putting them in the front 3-2.

In the sixth and seventh innings, the Waves scored two runs, extending their lead to 5-2. The Saints’ offense was not done yet, pushing across five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Their lead climaxed at 7-5 heading into the final two innings.

In the top half of the eighth inning, the Waves put up one run. In their half of the ninth, the Waves doubled their output and took the lead 12-7.

The Saints didn’t go down quietly as they added two runs of their own but ultimately fell short 12-9.

Cade Shumard (New Mexico State) posted two scoreless innings, only allowing two hits. Offensively, Eli Lopez (Cal State Fullerton) shined, going 2 for 4 with one run and one RBI.

In the 2024 season, the Saints and Barons met nine times, and the Saints won five of those games (5-4 against the Barons last season).

The MLB Academy Barons started off their season with a win against the San Diego Bombers 6-5. Antonio Lujan went yard for the Barons’ first home run of their young season. The Barons won in exciting fashion as JJ Nielsen hit a walk-off single to end the game.

Jumping ahead to Saturday night’s game, expect the Saints to come hungry after a heartbreaking, late-inning loss. Friday night’s high run output is an encouraging sign, and the Saints’ bats will look to stay hot against the visiting Barons.

In their previous game, the Saints used a divide-and-conquer approach on the bump as they tossed six pitchers against the Waves. As head coach Aaron Milam tries to acclimate to his new pitching staff, expect the Saints to utilize the same strategy.

Saturday night’s matchup will have its first pitch at 6:05 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Field.

Contributors:

• Saints reporter Taylor Dowdy (Arizona)
• Edited by Saints reporter Tyler Bowne (San Diego State)
• Saints photographer Carina Sanchez (Cal State University Los Angeles)