CCL North Division:

Walnut Creek Crawdads: 6-5 overall, 3-2 Week 2 

The Walnut Creek Crawdads had a steady past week as they went 2-2 winning 2 games and losing 2 games. They played the Packers on June 15th and lost 16-2. They recovered from a tough loss the next day winning against the Mudcats, 4-0. Unfortunately, they could not keep the winning streak alive and lost again to the Packers, 7-3. The Crawdads were able to end their week on a positive note and won against the WC Kings 8-2. 

During these games, infielder Coleman Schmidt (St. Mary's College) used every opportunity given to him at the plate and hit multiple bombs. In total, he has hit 4 home runs and 11 RBIs. Schmidt is a force to be reckoned with at the plate and helped the Crawdads majorly. Coleson Abel (Texas Tech) was able to prove himself a lot this week on the mound for the Crawdads. He has a whopping total of 9 strikeouts and an ERA of 4.26. The Crawdads have several players like Abel and Schmidt who have raw talent and are part of the reason their team has done well. 

The Crawdads will continue their season and are hoping for more wins in the future. They will play the Potters on June 21st. 

Solano Mudcats: 6-7 overall, 2-3 Week 2 

The Solano Mudcats had a slow start to their second week of the season with two losses against the Potters on the 14th, 8-7, and to the Crawdads on the 16th, 4-0. They turned it around for their next game against the WC Kings, winning 13-3 and then winning 2-1 against the Packers. Although they had a steady winning streak, they unfortunately lost against the Packers the next day 9-3. 

The Mudcats’ outfielder, Michael Benevides (Cal State Chico), has played well offensively and has assisted the team in their wins. He averages .357 and has had 2 RBIs, along with many singles and doubles. Pitcher Caleb Davis (San Joaquin Delta College) pitched extremely well for the Mudcats during the past few games. He has racked up a total of 10 strikeouts during his time on the mound and pitched for the team when they had their 2 wins.  

The Solano Mudcats have become a strong team and are finding their way, and with it only being the second week in the season, they have a solid summer of baseball ahead. They will play against the Potters next on Wednesday, June 22nd.

Healdsburg Prune Packers: 7-2 overall, 4-1 Week 2 

The Packers were nearly perfect this week, defeating the Crawdads twice and the Potters once before splitting a doubleheader with the Mudcats. 

Blake Burke (Tennessee) had a very productive week, going 8-18 with three runs, seven RBI and a home run. Joey Krammer (CSUN) was extremely reliable for the Packers, as he recorded at least one hit in each of his four games played. The Cotati, California native also went deep this week and contributed four runs while driving in two more. 

Left-hander Caden Noah (Texas) picked up the win in Healdsburg’s 3-2 victory over the Potters, only conceding a single hit while striking out seven batters in four innings pitched. 

The Prune Packers have a busy seven days coming up, as they will visit the Potters before opening a six-game homestand at Recreation Park. During that stretch, they are set to host the Stompers, Novato Knicks, MP Legends and Mudcats twice.

Lincoln Potters: 13-6 overall, 1-4 Week 2 

After dropping games to the Packers, Mudcats and Stompers twice, the Potters finished their week on a high note with a resounding 9-1 victory over Sonoma. 

Brandon Motheral (University of the Pacific) had a solid week at the plate, logging six hits in 21 at-bats and driving in four runs. Another bright spot on offense was JT Waldon (undecided), who went a combined 4-15 with two RBIs and a home run. 

Pitcher Anthony Perez (Cal State East Bay) had a strong outing in the Potters’ win against the Stompers, as he struck out six batters while allowing three hits in four innings of work. Right-hander Mason Hilton was dominant in Friday’s loss to Sonoma, recording five K’s and no hits against through 2.2 innings. 

The Potters will face the Packers, Crawdads, Mudcats and Saints before capping off their week with a two-game set against the Humboldt Crabs in Lincoln.

Sonoma Stompers: 5-6 overall, 2-3 Week 2 

The Stompers’ second week of the season was a mixed bag. Sonoma went 2-1 against the Potters, but also dropped games to the West Coast Kings and Crawdads. 

Max Handron (California) continued his emergence as an offensive leader for the Potters, tallying four hits, five RBI and a home run in 14 at-bats this week. 

Sonoma’s pitching has been extremely strong this season, and that didn’t change in week two. Starter Daniel Smith (Santa Rose JC) was a strike-throwing machine in four innings against the Potters on Thursday, racking up an impressive seven K’s while conceding 4 hits and one earned run. Orlando Leon Jr. (Hawaii-Hilo) made life difficult for the Potters on Friday, as he allowed four hits and struck out six batters in three innings pitched. 

After starting next week with two road games against the Mudcats and Packers, Sonoma will return home to take on the Crawdads, Saints and Riptide twice.

CCL South Division:

MLB Academy Barons: 4-3 overall, 2-2 Week 2 

The MLB Academy Barons had a tough start to their week, opening with a game against the O.C Riptide on Tuesday, June 14th, which they unfortunately lost 4-2. They headed into a two-game battle against the Santa Barbara Foresters on June 15th and then on June 17th. The Barons were able to pull a win against the Foresters during their first game, 5-3, but fell short in the next one losing 3-0. They ended their second week with a win against the OC Riptide, 8-5, on June 18th. 

After the second week of games, Pearce Blaney (Santa Barbara Community College) has proved himself to be a key offensive player for the Barons. He led the team’s batting average with .429 and consistently hit throughout his time at the plate. Pitcher Aaron Rosales (Santa Ana College) was an asset to the team during two games this past week, as he was able to hold any runs from coming in while he was on the mound.  

The MLB Academy Barons have been on a steady rise as their season unfolds and will face the OC Riptide again this Sunday at 4:35 pm. 

Arroyo Seco Saints: 2-4-1 overall, 2-2 Week 2 

The Arroyo Seco Saints played four tough games this past week winning two and losing twice. They faced the Blues in a close game on June 14th and took home a win, 6-5. They played them again the next day on the 15th and had a tough loss 11-3. The Saints did not get discouraged by this loss and won their next game on the 17th, 15-10. They ended their second week of the season with a loss on the 18th to the Blues, 8-6. 

The Saints have many exceptional offensive players who have played a crucial role in helping the Saints put runs on the board. Kyson Donahue (Hawaii) and Matt Wong (Hawaii) have been standouts hitting home runs, multiple RBIs, triples, doubles, and singles. Donahue and Wong consistently proved themselves this past week at the plate. Defensively the Saints have a solid outfield lineup that keeps the ball out of play. Max Blessinger (Pasadena Community College) has made several outstanding plays and has made many diving catches, saving the score from being in jeopardy. Jashia Morrissey (Long Beach State) has performed well at second base and caught several sinking line drives. 

The Saints have battled many tough teams but are becoming unified and working to start a winning streak. They play next against the Foresters on Tuesday, June 21.

OC Riptide: 4-4-1 overall, 1-3 Week 2 

The Riptide started off their week strong on June 14th with a 4-2 win against the Barons at home. The Riptide then embarked on a road trip that began with a tough 7-3 loss against the Conejo Oaks on June 15th. The trip continued on June 17th when the Riptide visited Pasadena, Calif. to face off against the Saints, losing a high-powered offensive contest 15-10. The Riptide rounded out their week on Saturday the 18th, losing to the Barons 8-5 in another tough loss. 

The Riptide’s offensive production is led by freshman Santino Panar (UNLV), who picked up 8 hits in 14 at bats this past week. He also piled on 4 RBIs and scored 4 times himself. Senior Dominic Suoto (Cal Berkeley) also compiled a very impressive week, going 5-11 at the plate with 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored.  

The Riptide will play the Barons, the Oaks, the Stompers, and the Crawdads this week.  

San Luis Obispo Blues: 7-8 overall, 2-2 Week 2 

The Blues led off their week with a two-game series against the Saints. The first game was a nailbiter on the 14th, with the Blues getting edged out in a 6-5 loss. The Blues came roaring back on June 15th, with a staggering 10-3 victory over the Saints on Wednesday night. The Blues played again on Friday the 17th against the Oaks, and had the script flipped as they took an 11-5 loss. They ended their week strong, playing the Saints again on June 18th and coming away with an 8-6 win in another close game. 

Kody Darcy (UTSA) has been a big component of the Blues production, picking up 4 hits in 9 at bats this past week while scoring 3 runs. Zach Toglia (Utah) has also been a significant member of the Blues, with 4 hits and 4 RBIs this past week. This pair is joined by junior CJ Masciel (Cal Baptist) who picked up 5 hits, 3 runs, and 1 RBI this week in only 11 at bats. 

The Blues will face off against the Foresters, the Barons, and the Oaks in the coming week. 

Santa Barbara Foresters: 4-4 overall, 2-2 Week 2 

Santa Barbara saw only two opponents this week: the Oaks and the Barons, who they played two times each. After starting the week 0-2, the Foresters came roaring back, winning 3-0 and 12-1 over the Barons and Oaks, respectively. 

Texas freshman Gavin Kash (Texas) has been instrumental in his team’s success. In the Foresters’ two victories this week, Kash was sensational, going a combined 5-9, hitting two home runs and contributing nine RBI. Miguel Santos (Dallas Baptist) shined against the Oaks on Saturday, as he went 3-4 with a homer, three runs and two RBI. 

Right-hander Parker Smith (Rice) picked up the win against the Barons in dominant fashion on Friday. In six shutout innings, Smith threw five strikeouts, gave up two hits and walked two batters. 

Santa Barbara will look to extend their winning streak this week, as they will face the Saints, Barons and Blues twice. 

Conejo Oaks: 5-2 overall, 3-1 Week 2 

The Conejo Oaks continue to play well in the second week of the season, leading off the week with a 3-1 victory over the Santa Barbara Foresters on June 14th. They continued their campaign on June 15th with a commanding win in a 7-3 decision against the Orange County Riptide. The streak continued on June 17th on a day of rest with another huge win against the San Luis Obispo Blues 11-5. As all good things must come to an end, the Oaks lost on Saturday the 18th to the Foresters 12-1. 

Tyler Ganus (University of Oregon) has been an on base machine for the Oaks, picking up 7 hits this past week and totaling a 0.667 on base percentage during this stretch. Zach Daudet (Regis) has been a workhorse for the Oaks, playing in 3 of the 4 games of the past week and totaling 4 hits and 1 RBI in 10 at bats for the Oaks. The Oaks have also been assisted by a talented pitching staff.  A notable member of this staff is Clarke Garrett (USC) who threw for 6 innings against the blues and only allowed 3 hits and 3 earned runs while striking out 4 batters. 

The Oaks will play the Saints, the Riptide, the Philippine National Team, the Pirates, the Blues, and the Barons this week. 

Contributors:

• CCL Reporters Nicola Iannelli (Texas), Jackson Crawford (Texas), Sean Brennan (Arizona State)