Oaks Defeat Philippines Baseball Group in Slugfest, 15–9

Oaks Defeat Philippines Baseball Group in Slugfest, 15–9

By Micah Rodriguez

Coming off a thrilling 10–9 back-and-forth victory over the Arroyo Seco Saints on Sunday, the Oaks followed it up with a 15–9 victory over the Philippines Baseball Group (PBG). After a brief four-game skid last week, the Oaks have won two in a row.

The Oaks started the scoring in the bottom of the second inning. Outfielder Bode Grieve reached on an error by the shortstop and scored first baseman Tyson Reis from third. The following batter, catcher Lucas Martinov, singled to bring home designated hitter Aiden Voyles and give the Oaks an early 2–0 advantage.

PBG put up a five-spot in the top of the fourth to take a 5–2 lead going into the bottom of the fourth.

The Oaks responded with their biggest inning of the season in the bottom half of the fourth. The Oaks recorded nine free bases (walks and hit by pitches) and knocked three hits, the biggest of which came off the bat of Reis. 

After PBG loaded the bases with hit batters, Reis unloaded on the first pitch he saw and launched it into the parking lot behind right field to give the Oaks a 10–5 lead. Later in the inning, Martinov tripled into the right-center gap to score two more and put the Oaks ahead by seven, 12–5. 

Right-hander Derek Turner got the nod on the bump for the Oaks. Making his third start of the summer, Turner was lights out through three innings before running into some trouble in the fourth. Heading into his redshirt junior season at the University of California, Fullerton, Turner went 3.1 innings, allowing five runs (three earned) while racking up five strikeouts. 

The Oaks continued to add on in the bottom of the sixth. Middle infielder Grant Rodriguez ripped a double off the base of the hill in right field to score two more. Rodriguez finished with four RBIs on the day. Third baseman Nate Lopez lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to score another and put the Oaks ahead 15–6.

Eight of the nine players in the starting lineup for the Oaks recorded a hit. Center fielder Owen Meli and Reis led the charge with three hits apiece. Rodriguez, Lopez, and Martinov recorded multi-hit efforts in the win. 

In relief of Turner, his Fullerton teammate, Landon Martin, worked 2.2 strong innings. The right-hander allowed one hit and one unearned run while punching out five.

Following Martin, big right-hander Caden Sramek worked the final three innings of the game. Sramek worked around five walks to close out a 15–9 victory.

With the win, the Oaks move back above .500 at 7–6. After an off day tomorrow, the Oaks are back at Pirate Park on Thursday when they take on the San Diego Waves. First pitch is at 4 p.m.