Saints tie up the Series

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA - The Arroyo Seco Saints (6-11) defeated the Saint Luis Obispo Blues (18-5) in game two of their three game series, finishing with the score 7-3. After the Saints dropped the first game of the series, they stayed positive and came out swinging.

Despite the game one loss, the Saints dugout maintained positivity heading into game two. Their late rally provided optimism in the lineup's ability to get hot.

The Blues got on the board first when Diego Murillo hit an RBI double, scoring Cesar Chavez to put them ahead by one.

Even though Saints' Owen Mangini (University of Nevada - Reno) wasn't in the lineup for game one, he kept spirits high in the dugout. The decision to slot Mangini into the five spot payed off as he gave the Saints their first lead of the series. 

In the second, Mangini immediately responded with a home run over the left field fence, scoring Canon King (Undecided) after he hit a single. 

"This has been a slower start than I would like, and then back into the swing of things but at the end of the day, we're just trying to chip away each and every at-bat," Mangini said.

The Saints continued to chip away each inning on offense and defense. LHP Joe O'Regan (Undecided) pitched a consistent game with 6.1 innings pitched, 3 earned runs and 8 strikeouts. 

"I mean, it took them four times through the order to get to me, and that's a good team. I give them props for adjusting there late but we hit really good today," O'Regan said.

The Saints never looked back and continued to build on the lead with Zach Leite's (Old Dominion University) single to score Nick Nashiwa (Golden West College) and Evan Reiter (Santa Ana College).

The 7th inning proved to be the dagger for the Saints as they put up another three runs on the board, thanks to RBIs from Brayden Flores, Jacob Freer and Leite. 

After O'Regan's strong outing, RHP Hudson Carvalho (University of Oregon) took the mound to close the game out, shutting down the first place Blues and securing the win. 

Mangini shared that he feels the Saints' late rally carried into game two. 

"Don't let the Saints get hot. That's all I have to say," Mangini said.

Of course when facing the first team in the North Division of the California Collegiate League, the Saints knew they had to drum up more than 2 runs. The offense delivered, with key contributors from up and down the lineup guiding the Saints to a dominant 7-2 victory. 

For the third and final game of this roadtrip, the Saints hope to end the trip on a high note, and leave San Luis Obispo's squad singing the blues. 

First pitch is set for 2 p.m. PDT tomorrow at Sinsheimer Stadium.

Contributors:

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

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