La Sierra @ Rancho Verde (League)

The La Sierra Eagles (5-2, 1-0) won their league opener 2-0 behind a strong extra-inning performance on the mound by lefty starter Dennis Martine (3-2). Martine went all 9 innings, shutting out Rancho Verde on 3 hits and 11 strikeouts. The Eagles were hit-less for much of the game, but started the top of the 9th with back to back walks from Blake Moreno and Connor Hillis. After a successful double steal, Ryan Villarreal drove in the first run of the game with a single, and Andrew Hardy squeezed in the next run to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead, and the only runs Martine would need to close out the game. The Eagles offense was led by J'Anthony Sanchez and Ryan Villarreal, each with 2 hits. Daniel Beltran and Andrew Hardy each had one hit, while Brian Bos and Connor Hillis each walked twice. La Sierra will play at Moreno Valley on Thursday, March 25th at 3:15.

Notes: Dennis Martine has 52 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched. Martine has slightly higher than a 6.5-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Andrew Hardy ended Rancho Verde's no-hitter in the 5th with a single up the middle. Daniel Beltran leads the team with 4 stolen bases. Marshall Lee and Daniel Beltran are tied for second on the team in runs scored (6) behind J'Anthony Sanchez (8). Sanchez also leads the team in batting average (.541) and RBI's (7).