Saints Secure Third win of the Season

PASADENA, CA  — The Arroyo Seco Saints got their first win in six games against the Philippines Baseball Group in electrifying fashion. A single that turned into an intense play at the plate gave the Saints a home win, ending the game with the score 13-12.

At the top of the ninth, Ajani Wrighster (Undecided), who hit a home run on the first pitch of his first at bat in the top of the fourth for PBG, drove a single into left field to Carson Panarisi (Cal State Los Angeles). 

Panarisi fielded the hard-hit ball cleanly and immediately threw to home, throwing out the tying run and ending the game. 

"I knew for a fact that it was a do or die and it was going to be a tie game if I didn't get him," Panarisi said. "It was the hardest ball I've thrown in two years."

Panarisi shared that he recently got Tommy John surgery, so being able to step up and make this play was a crucial stepping stone in the reassurance of his recovery.

The lengthy game started off with the teams trading runs in the top of the first.

Wyatt Toth (Undecided) took the mound for the Saints and started off strong, striking out PBG's two lead off hitters. After allowing a single and two walks, PBG jumped ahead by one.

Evan Reiter (Santa Ana College) singled to bring in the first two Saints runs, putting them on top by one. Reiter led the Saints going 3-4, scoring 5 of the Saints' 13 runs.

"I knew when I had runners in scoring position, I knew I just had to put the ball in play," Reiter said, "So that's all I tried to do, just keep it simple and put the ball in play."

In the second inning, PBG came back, this time adding four to their lead, putting them up 6-4.

Edwin Segovia (Azusa Pacific University) stepped in as relief for Toth at the top of the third.

"Honestly I was just trying to get as many innings out of myself as possible. Just really fill up the strike zone and get us further into the game," Segovia said.

This is Segovia's first game with the Saints and he was able to shut down PBG's offense, only allowing two runs during his outing.

"This is an exciting end to the game. I mean, my first game here, this is so fun. Hanging out with all the guys, it was great. I'm really enjoying it here," Segovia said. 

The score remained tied until the Saints pulled ahead in the fifth. Flores and Asperger were walked and later scored, as well as Panarisi who got on due to a catcher's interference,giving the Saints the lead. 

The Saints added two more runs to their score in the eighth and looked to Samuel Rickman (Trinity University) to close the game out in the ninth.

Although loading the bases, Rickman was able to get out of the inning by forcing PBG to put the ball in play, ultimately leading to Panarisi's game-ending play at the plate.

This is the Saints' second win at home this season and they look to continue their win streak tomorrow at Great Park in Irvine against the Orange County Riptide with game time set for 7 p.m..

Contributors: 

• Saints Reporter: Leila El Sabbagh (University of La Verne)

• Saints Photographer: Aaliyah Alamillo (University of La Verne)