LOPEZ RECORDS COMPLETE GAME IN 5-2 WIN OVER NO.1 SADDLEBACK

Third time was the charm for the Knights against Saddleback as City defeated the Gauchos, 5-2, on Friday at Morley Field. Frank Lopez pitched a complete game and helped his own cause by going 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run as the lead-off hitter.

The Knights had dropped the first two games of the season at Saddleback, but the Knights were able to get one off the No.1-ranked team in Southern California after falling behind early in the game. 

Saddleback scored the first two runs in the top of the third off an RBI triple and an RBI single from Mike Jarvis and Andrew Wilson, respectively. 

The Knights answered back in the bottom of the fifth with four runs that gave them the lead for good. Lorenzo Martinez and Wyatt Logan got the big inning started with back-to-back singles that were followed by a Cole Flint triple to right field that brought both runners home. 

After a pinch-hit pop up by Tanner Logan, Lopez tripled down the right field line to score Flint. Anthony Warneke came up next and singled in Lopez to give City the 4-2 lead.

Lopez gave himself an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh with an RBI single that scored Flint from third base. 

Lopez got into some trouble in the eighth inning when Saddleback tried to get a two-out rally going. A walk and a single were followed by a wild pitch that allowed both runners to get into scoring position, but Lopez got the next batter, Brett O'Toole, hit an inning-ending fly out. 

City's starting pitcher had a strong finish by striking out all three Saddleback batters in the ninth inning. Lopez improved his record to 2-0 by allowing only two earned runs off six hits and four walks, while striking out five.

The Knights, who are 5-6 overall, begin the PCAC season at home on Tuesday, March 7 vs. Imperial Valley.