Photo Credit: Prune Packers
By Sam Nute
A little less than a week ago, on July 27, the Healdsburg Prune Packers exited Walnut Creek after a sweep knocked them out of first place in the CCL North Division for the first time since the beginning of the season. Six days later, the two teams faced off with a trip to the CCL 30 State Championship on the line.
The last three years have been a period of Healdsburg Prune Packer dominance in the North Division. However, the Walnut Creek Crawdads proved to be a thorn in the side of the Prune Packers in 2023, winning five of the teams’ seven regular season matchups and pushing the North Division regular season title to the final day.
Despite the push, the Prune Packers came out on top in the regular season by just half a game. In the North Divisional Round, Healdsburg set the record straight with a controlling 10-7 win, holding off a late charge from the Cardiac Crawdads and securing a chance to defend Healdsburg’s back-to-back CCL Championships.
One thing the Crawdads had been very good at against the Prune Packers all season was stifling the dangerous Healdsburg lineup. In the regular season, the Packers scored 8.1, an average of runs per game, but against Walnut Creek, the Packers’ run production was cut in half to just 4.2 runs per game.
Making only his third appearance for the Prune Packers, RHP Pierce George (Texas) got the ball to start the game. However, George allowed the Crawdads to get on the board first, thanks to a passed ball. Healdsburg answered back in the bottom of the inning, scratching a run across against Crawdad starter RHP Dylan McShane (Oregon) on a balk.
Over the next four innings, it was all Prune Packers as they raced out to an 8-1 lead, scoring multiple runs in the second, fourth and fifth innings. Outfielder Cameron Nickens (Houston) started multiple of the Prune Packers rallies and finished the night going 2-for-5 with a triple and an RBI. UTL Peyton Schulze (Cal) and catcher Kimble Schuessler both had good nights finishing with four hits and two RBI combined.
The stars of the show for the Prune Packers were undoubtedly ace LHP Myles Patton (Long Beach State) and OF/IF Ivan Brethowr (UC Santa Barbara). In the regular season, Patton was one of the feature arms on the Prune Packers staff, leading the team with 39 strikeouts in 25.1 innings.
Relieving George after just 1.1 innings, Patton danced through 6.1 scoreless innings, escaping multiple dangerous situations and striking out nine Crawdads. Walnut Creek shortstop Matt King (UTSA) hit a three-run homer, giving Patton three earned runs on his line, but by then, the Prune Packers had raced out to a seven-run lead.
Brethowr joined the Prune Packers midway through the season and, since then, has been arguably their best player. In 39 bats, Brethowr slugged five homers and two doubles, slashing an eye-popping .359/.432/.795. On Wednesday, it was no different. After King’s homerun cut the lead to four in the top of the eighth, Brethowr slugged a two-run shot for his sixth home run of the year, extending the Prune Packer lead to six runs. He finished the night going 2-for-3 with a homer, a double, two RBI and three runs scored.
Throughout the season, the Crawdads adopted the nickname ‘Cardiac Crawdads’ for their propensity to never be quite out of a game. Down six in the ninth, they made for one more push as infielder Ryan Ellis (Texas Arlington) hit a bases-clearing three-RBI double to cut the lead in half, but that was all, ending the game 10-7.
Finishing the season with a 25-10 record, 2023 was one of the best years in Crawdad franchise history, taking the North Division down to the final day and winning their first playoff game since 2014.
Back in familiar territory, the Prune Packers return to the CCL State Championship for the third straight year, attempting to defend their back-to-back titles. Their opponent is the Arroyo Seco Saints, who beat the Orange County Riptide 1-0 in the South Divisional Round. Game One is Friday, August 4, at 6:05 pm, at Jackie Robinson Memorial Field in Pasadena, CA.
Photo Credit: Sonny Tapia
By CCL Reporter Sean Brennan
Both the Arroyo Seco Saints and Orange County Riptide had compelling cases for why each could win the CCL 30 South Divisional Round and reach the CCL 30 State Championship.
The ‘Tide came into Wednesday’s contest with some momentum, having defeated the Conejo Oaks in the CCL 30 Wild Card Game less than 24 hours earlier. Orange County also posted a 6-1 record against the Saints during the regular season, a feat that is extremely difficult for any team to accomplish.
However, the Riptide’s lone regular season loss to Arroyo Seco came just over a week ago on July 26, which came amid a torrid 13-game stretch that saw the Saints win 10 contests and plate an astounding 110 runs heading into the postseason.
Despite seemingly having no trouble scoring over the past two weeks, it was Arroyo Seco’s pitching that sealed a berth in the State Championship series. Three arms – righty Carter Herrera (Cal State Fullerton) along with left-handers Peyton Cariaco (Kent State) and Kevin Warunek (Longwood) – combined to shut out the Riptide, holding the opposition to five hits in a 1-0 victory.
During the regular season, Arroyo Seco’s pitching numbers were among the CCL’s best, as it recorded the third-lowest team ERA (3.53) and WHIP (1.34) in the entire league. So when the Saints put together yet another dominant performance on the mound, it came as no surprise to head coach Aaron Milam.
“For the whole season, our pitchers have given us a chance to win,” Milam said. “In 20 years, it’s the best pitching staff that we’ve ever had as a whole, because every day, there’s a guy to go. When you come out of the pen, there’s a guy equally as good. Very validating that it’s a shutout victory.”
Herrera, who started in his seventh game of the summer, has established himself as one of Arroyo Seco’s best pitchers, finishing the regular season with a 2.00 ERA while leading the team in strikeouts (35) and innings pitched (36.0). The rising sophomore tossed six scoreless frames of three-hit ball on Wednesday, and once again proved his strong outings are a gift that keeps on giving.
“Carter Herrera is has been the most consistent pitcher we’ve had,” Milam said. “In every start that Carter’s had, he’s given us a chance to win… That’s been Carter all year – consistent. And if and when there’s a small situation where there’s jams, he pitches his way out. Couldn’t have asked for anything more from Carter Herrera this year.”
But the Saints’ offense also ran into a hot starter in righty Matthew Maloney (UNLV), the reigning CCL Pitcher of the Year. Aside from a pair of leadoff singles conceded, Maloney enjoyed one of his best starts of the season and accrued three strikeouts in 2.0 innings of work, a solid performance that set the tone for right-handed reliever Brett Garcia (Baylor).
Out of the gate, Garcia picked up right where Maloney left off, and retired the first six Saints he faced. This streak was promptly broken, however, when outfielder Kyte McDonald (Rice) got ahold of a 2-0 pitch, clubbing his team-leading fifth homer to lead off the fifth and give Arroyo Seco a 1-0 advantage.
McDonald being the hero for the Saints on Wednesday was fitting, as the San Antonio, Texas native increased his personal hitting streak to eight games with his solo shot. With three home runs in his last three contests, McDonald’s power has also been on full display of late.
The Riptide would begin to make things interesting once Herrera exited the game after the sixth. Infielder Connor McGuire (Cal Baptist) opened the seventh inning with a single before reaching third on a botched pickoff attempt, putting Orange County in a prime position to tie the game. But Cariaco, who succeeded Herrera, set down the next three batters, escaping the frame without a scratch.
Cariaco faced a similar jam an inning later, as Riptide outfielder Cary Arbolida (Houston) recorded a leadoff single and advanced 90 feet thanks to a sacrifice bunt by McGuire. The Saints reliever responded by inducing two straight outs to once again neutralize Orange County’s threat before passing the torch to Warunek in the ninth to close out the contest.
With the win, the Saints will face the Healdsburg Prune Packers – the CCL 30 North Divisional Round winner and two-time defending champions – in the best-two-of-three CCL 30 State Championship, with the game one scheduled for Friday, August 4 at Jackie Robinson Memorial Field at 6:05 pm PST. Healdsburg went 26-9 in league play during the regular season and advanced to the championship series with a 10-7 victory over the Walnut Creek Crawdads.
Despite taking on a formidable opponent in the Packers, Milam believes his group is more than capable of bringing home its first CCL Championship in franchise history.
“Our goal every week is to win the week,” Milam said. “And we won one [game]. We have [to win] two more to win the week. So right now, we’re trying to win the week.”
Photo Credit: Gracie Pugliese
By CCL Reporter Sean Brennan
With the conclusion of the South Wild Card Game, the inaugural CCL 30 Wild Card Round is in the books, and it didn’t disappoint. After the Walnut Creek Crawdads defeated the Lincoln Potters in the North Division’s Wild Card matchup, the Orange County Riptide ended the CCL 30 Postseason’s opening day with a walk-off, come-from-behind victory over the Conejo Oaks, 5-4.
This year, the league adopted a new playoff format consisting of six teams – three from the CCL North Division and three from the CCL South Division – with the second and third-seeded squads squaring off in a single-elimination Wild Card Game. Each Wild Card Champion will advance to the aforementioned Divisional Round, where they will battle their respective division’s top-seeded squad for a berth in the CCL 30 State Championship. In the North vs. South State Championship, the two finalists will compete in a best-of-three series to determine who takes home this year’s title.
Given how evenly these two teams have matched up against one another all summer long, it’s no surprise Tuesday’s contest came down to the wire. The Riptide finished the regular season with a 4-3 advantage in the head-to-head season series, but Conejo had won two most recent games – the only two that came after the CCL 30 Showcase Game on July 12.
After besting the Oaks by a score of 5-4 at Great Park in Irvine, Orange County will visit the one-seeded Arroyo Seco Saints in the South Divisional Round on August 2.
Despite living to see another day, the prospect of the ‘Tide pulling off a victory appeared bleak heading into the bottom of the 5th inning. On the heels of a quiet opening three innings, the Oaks finally broke the scoreless tie in the fourth courtesy of outfielder Christopher Wright (Sonoma State), who drove in catcher Brendan Durfee (Cal Lutheran) with a deep double that reached the left-field wall.
Conejo was far from finished. With one out on the board an inning later, two straight Oaks – outfielders McCabe Moyer (Oregon) and Austin Carrillo (Biola) – reached base via a single and walk respectively, setting the scene for infielder Zach Daudet (Regis). Daudet would seemingly blow the game wide open, clubbing a three-run shot that cleared the left-field wall.
Daudet’s blast ultimately proved a turning point, igniting a fire within the tight-knit Riptide dugout.
“We were kind of screaming as a team,‘punch back, punch back,’” Riptide head coach Connor Spencer recalled. “I just preached with the guys… our focus as a group these last few days needs to be having fun… I told them 10 or 20 years down the line, when you meet up with the guy on your left and the guy on your right, you’re going to talk about these moments in the playoff run that you made and the fun that you had.”
When Orange County needed a jolt, its lineup proved up to the task almost immediately. Outfielder Reese Chapman (Tennessee) drew a bases-loaded walk to break the shutout, and outfielder Patrick Hackworth (UC San Diego) capitalized on a passed ball before infielder Connor McGuire drove in two more runs with his team-leading 27th base knock of the season, tying the game before Conejo’s hitters had a chance to retake the field.
“I tried to preach simplicity with the guys, and they did a really good job that inning of getting guys on, working counts [and] drawing some walks,” Spencer said. “We’ve done a really good job of setting the table here for the past couple of weeks and we’ve been really poor at driving guys in… it was kind of a monkey off our back to get that four-spot there.”
Taking the mound to start the sixth frame was southpaw Ryan Hernandez (Cal Baptist), who succeeded starter Josh Randall (San Diego). In his last five regular season relief appearances, the La Mirada, Calif. native posted a 1.50 ERA and 0.67 WHIP through 6.0 innings, earning his head skipper’s trust in a high-leverage situation, especially against a Conejo starting lineup that featured five lefties.
Hernandez more than proved he was up to the task, going 3.0 innings – his longest outing of the season – while allowing one baserunner and fanning three. The rising senior also set the tone for right-hander Connor Kinney (Undecided), who was able to hold the Oaks scoreless in the game’s final inning and earn win No. 2 on the summer – his first coming from a shutout 4.0-inning start on July 29 in San Luis Obispo.
“We kind of gravitated towards Hernandez because of the job he’s done this season against left-handed hitters,” Spencer said. “And he came in and pounded the zone really well… Seeing the start that [Kinney] had in San Luis Obispo… we have so much confidence in the kid at this point in time…”
With the score knotted up at four heading into the bottom of the ninth, the ‘Tide had a grade-A chance to close the game out right then and there. And Orange County did just that, as Chapman drew another bases-loaded walk to walk off Conejo and extend his team’s season.
“For Chapman to come in and have the discipline to work a walk there, it’s really easy to let things spiral out of control,” Spencer said. “Let me tell you, that kid is really, really good and he’s going to be a really special player someday.”
The Riptide will now set their sights on the Arroyo Seco Saints, the South’s top squad in the postseason. Spencer – who began his CCL coaching career with the Saints – is 6-1 against his former team this summer, an encouraging stat as Orange County takes on a team that is 11-3 in its last 14 games. This red-hot stretch includes a win over the Riptide on July 26, the most recent head-to-head meeting.
“It’s all about,‘What have you done for me lately’, and Arroyo Seco took the last game from us and it’s because they are blazing hot,” Spencer said. “They have the ability to put up those wild crooked numbers, we have to prevent those crooked numbers. It’s okay if we go one run here, one run there, but if they get a four, five or six-spot, we’re going to be in trouble. We’ve got to try and prevent that as much as humanly possible.”
Photo Credit: Spencer So
By Sam Nute
After an exciting end to the regular season, the CCL 30 Postseason kicked-off with the first game between the Walnut Creek Crawdads and the Lincoln Potters in the inaugural CCL 30 Wild Card Round.
This year, the CCL introduced a new playoff format where the top three teams from each division make the playoffs. The second and third seeds from each division face off in the Wild Card round, with the winner moving on to play the first seed in the Divisional Round. Finally, the winner of each divisional round will face off in the best-of-three CCL 30 State Championship.
Entering the game on Tuesday, Lincoln had won seven of their last ten games and were riding a very hot offensive stretch, scoring 66 runs over their final five games of the regular season. Outfielder Nolan Wilson (Nevada) would score Lincoln’s lone run of the night, finishing a season where he hit .337 with six doubles and two homers. Plus, middle-infield partners Patrick Herrara (Kentucky) and Zachary Chamizo (UC Riverside) both had hits to cap off .300+ AVG seasons of their own.
The last time these two teams faced, the Potters upset the ‘Dads, winning a three-game series a little over a week ago.
The Crawdads defeated the Potters 7-1 and moved on to face the Healdsburg Prune Packers in the Divisional Round behind nine innings of one-run ball from RHP Tyler Blair (Cal) and LHP EJ McGrew (Willamette) plus a bounce-back performance from the offense.
“I have a checklist each day that I look at in terms of things we need to do to win baseball games in general,” Walnut Creek head coach Brant Cummings said. “We threw strikes, we pitched, we played defense and we scored when we needed to.”
Ranking third on the team in innings pitched, Blair has been one of the ‘Dads best pitchers this year. In 21.2 innings, Blair pitched to a 2.49 ERA, striking out 20 and allowing just six earned runs on the season. On Tuesday, Blair delivered one of his best outings of the season. Over 5.0 innings, Blair allowed just one unearned run on a Crawdad error and struck out two while allowing just four hits and one walk.
Tuesday’s performance marks three straight outings in which Blair has gone five innings, and over that 15-inning stretch, he has allowed just one earned run on 10 hits.
“I just got a lot of confidence right now,” Blair said. “I’m attacking the zone, getting ahead and trusting my catchers (Nico) Button and (Ryan) Helfrick. Just keeping it simple. My curveball was working, so I kept going to that, working backward a lot of the time.”
The Potters took the lead early on an error by Crawdad third baseman Max Farfan (Illinois Chicago), but Walnut Creek struck back in the third on an RBI single from outfielder Cole Fellows (Columbia). With the heavy wind blowing in from center field, the teams weren’t expecting too many homers tonight, but a lucky break in the weather allowed outfielder Brian DuRoff (Charlotte) to muscle one over the center field wall putting the Crawdads up 2-1.
“It was the second or third time I saw that kid, so I knew kind of what he wanted to do,” DuRoff said. “He started out with a breaker early, right in my wheelhouse, and I kind of just dropped the barrel on it, and I just backspun it, and it kept going. I thought it was gonna stay in, but it was nice to see one leave the yard.”
The solo shot was all Walnut Creek needed, following Blair’s masterful start and impressive relief work by McGrew. Across four innings, McGrew allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out two. McGrew’s four-inning save allowed Cummings to use just two pitchers, and after losing a few pitchers over the last few weeks, that couldn’t have been more imperative with a possible four more games in the next five days.
“We needed that. We are a little shorthanded right now, so it felt good to get those out of those guys.” Cummings said. “Using two guys now, we have the rest of the guys, excluding maybe one or two, that are able to go tomorrow. Then we have one or two more guys that will become available on the weekend if we are able to move on.”
After a clutch two-RBI double from Helfrick and three sacrifice flies, the Crawdads advance and now prepare to face the Healdsburg Prune Packers tomorrow, August 2, at 6:05 pm PST. Earlier last week, the Crawdads swept Healdsburg and went 5-2 against them on the season.
However, Walnut Creek is not just resting on its laurels.
“It is not going to be easy,” Cummings said. “It never is against them. Good players. They play well, and they specifically play well at their place. It’s a huge task; it’s doable, but it is not gonna be easy.”
By CCL Reporters Sean Brennan, Sam Nute, and Dylan Wickman
The CCL 30 Regular Season has finally come to a close, and the league’s top six teams will look to make a run at this year’s State Championship in the CCL 30 Postseason, which begins with the CCL 30 Wild Card Round on August 1. Before the playoff festivities begin, learn how each team finished their regular seasons. Each team is carefully ranked based on their overall record, week record, strength of schedule, and recent trends. Check out the final edition of the CCL 30 Power Rankings below.
#1 Santa Barbara Foresters (⬆2)
League Record: 25-10
League Record This Week: 3-1
Overall Record: 30-10
Overall Record This Week: 4-1
After dropping their first game of the week to the Oaks, the Santa Barbara Foresters got right back on track, picking up a non-league win the very next day. Santa Barbara proceeded to take the next three against the Conejo Oaks before defeating the San Luis Obispo Blues to close out their 2023 CCL campaign – and posting an above-.500 record for the seventh straight week.
At 24-10 in league play, the ‘Sters have clinched the CCL South regular season title for the third straight summer – meaning they’ve won the South in all three years since the league introduced divisions in 2021.
Outfielder Rocco Garza-Gongora (Oklahoma) took full advantage of his 24 at-bats on the week, logging nine hits, a double and two RBI. In his last five contests, catcher Will Rogers (Michigan) went 7-for-21 with a double, home run and seven RBI, good for a .333 average during Week 8. Hitting for power this week was outfielder Gregory Pace (Michigan), who slugged .933 and belted two home runs in 15 at-bats.
On the mound, righty Sean Youngerman (Westmont College) put together a strong 5.2-inning start in Game 2 against the Oaks. The CCL 30 Showcase Game selection conceded a run in the second, but ultimately pitched to a sub-one WHIP and struck out six, exiting the contest with Santa Barbara leading 3-1.
Right-handed reliever Zac Colletti helped seal a Foresters’ series victory over Conejo during Game 4, fanning five and holding the Oaks scoreless in the game’s final 4.0 innings.
The ‘Sters have elected to participate in the 2023 National Baseball Congress (NBC) World Series – a tournament they have won ten times – in lieu of the CCL 30 Postseason.
#2 Walnut Creek Crawdads (–)
League Record: 25-10
League Record This Week: 4-2
Overall Record: 33-10
Overall Record This Week: 4-2
The final week of the CCL regular season was a roller coaster for the Walnut Creek Crawdads, who came into the week 2.5 game back of the Healdsburg Prune Packers for the No. 1 seed in the North Division. The week couldn’t have gotten off to a better start as the Crawdads swept the Prune Packers in a three-game series to take the lead of the North Division. However, a series loss to the Sonoma Stompers on the final weekend of the season handed the top seed in the North to Healdsburg.
Needing a sweep to take the lead in the division, Walnut Creek pulled out all three wins with multiple excellent pitching and hitting performances. Right-handed pitcher Kody Perry (Trinity College), LHP Sean Fitzpatrick (Arkansas) and RHP Tyler Blair combined to throw 16.0 IP allowing just one earned run and seven hits, while striking out 9.
Offensively, the Crawdads got offensive contributions from all around the team, especially in Game Two. Scoring eight runs on the night, the ‘Dads had five different players notch an RBI, and outfielder Brian DuRoff (Charlotte) and catcher Ryder Helfrick led the way with both having a multi-hit game.
After the sweep, Walnut Creek only needed to win their final three-game series against the Sonoma Stompers, but the bullpen that was so strong in the Prune Packers series struggled against the Stompers, surrendering multiple runs in late-game situations.
Walnut Creek will enter the CCL 30 Postseason as the North Division’s second seed and will host the third-seeded Lincoln Potters on Tuesday, August, 1st at 4 p.m. PST.
#3 Healdsburg Prune Packers (⬇2)
League Record: 26-9
League Record This Week: 2-3
Overall Record: 39-9
Overall Record This Week: 3-3
The Healdsburg Prune Packers bounced back with a two-game series sweep over the Mudcats, and, thanks to a Stompers series win over the Crawdads, will enter the Postseason with the North Division’s top seed.
The Prune Packers’ offense managed 10 runs across the three games agains the Crawdads. Averaging 5.3 hits per game this series, the Prune Packers worked to get their offense going. The offense bounced back in their two-game set against the Mudcats. Healdsburg scored 19 runs while outfielder Alex Leopard (Santa Rosa JC) went 3-for-3 in the series including two home runs and six total RBI.
Left-handed pitcher Christopher Stamos (Tennessee) struck out five in a four-inning outing against the Crawdads
The Prune Packers will enter the CCL 30 Postseason as the North Divisions No. 1 seed. Due to their top spot, Healdsburg has a first round bye and will host the winner of the Crawdads/Potters on Wednesday, August 2 for a spot in the CCL 30 State Championship.
#4 Arroyo Seco Saints (⬆1)
League Record: 21-14
League Record This Week: 4-1
Overall Record: 23-14
Overall Record This Week: 4-1
Week 8 couldn’t have gone much better for the Arroyo Seco Saints, who went 4-1 to lock up the CCL South Division’s top spot in the CCL 30 Postseason. Perhaps Arroyo Seco’s biggest win of the summer came on July 26 over the then-No. 1 seeded Riptide – a foe the Saints were 0-6 against this season up to that point – which helped fuel a three-game sweep of the Barons to finish the week and regular season hot.
As has been the case in recent weeks, the Saints’ bats were scorching hot this week, scoring a combined 51 runs in five contests. Infielder Jordan Rogers and outfielder Kyte McDonald, both members of the Wichita State Shockers, proved the brightest spots in the Saints’ lineup. Rogers’ enjoyed a three-home run, seven-RBI performance on July 29 against the Barons, while McDonald hit .429 with two homers, three walks and six RBI in 21 at-bats this week.
Another Saint to make waves this week was infielder and CCL 30 Showcase Game selection Raider Tello (Iowa), who went 8-for-24 to improve his average to .385 and achieve the CCL South Division’s regular season batting title.
With a staff that ranks top-three in the CCL for ERA (3.53), WHIP (1.34) and strikeouts (370) during league play, it’s no surprise that Arroyo Seco’s success this week was propelled in part by strong pitching. On July 28 against the Barons, right-handed starter Hayden Lewis (Arizona) hit double-digit strikeouts while allowing just a run in 5.0 innings – good for his first win of the 2023 campaign.
Right-hander Carter Herrera (Cal State Fullerton) got the nod for the Saints’ pivotal Jul. 26 game in Orange County and also shined, fanning five and owning a sub-one WHIP in 6.0 innings.
Earning the South Division’s top seed comes with its perks, as Arroyo Seco receives an automatic bid to the CCL 30 Divisional Round on August 2 – which it is set to host – and will await the winner of the South’s CCL 30 Wild Card Round.
#5 Lincoln Potters (⬆1)
League Record: 20-15
League Record This Week: 5-1
Overall Record: 33-20
Overall Record This Week: 5-1
There might not be a hotter team in the CCL than the Lincoln Potters heading into the CCL 30 Postseason. Last week, the Potters took series against both the Prune Packers and the Crawdads, and stayed hot with a series win over the Mudcats and a sweep of the CCL affiliate Bay Area Admirals, clinching the third seed in the CCL North Division.
Offensively, the Potters continued to build off of the previous week, scoring 66 runs across their five games this week. Coming to the Potters midway through the season, outfielder Alexander Johnson (Undecided) had his best game of his shortened season. In the Potters 19-4 win over the Mudcats, Johnson went 3-for-5 with a double and three RBI. Two games later, Johnson performed amazing once again, going 2-for-4 with a home run and another double, ending the night with 4 RBI.
On the bump, the Potters got an impressive performance out of RHP Toran O’Harran (Stanford). O’Harran threw five strong inning against the Admirals, allowing one earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out six. Later against the Admirals, RHP Cooper Robinson (UC Irvine) continued his impressive season. Lowering his season ERA to 2.52, Robinson went 6.0 innings, allowing just one earned run and striking out five.
Heading into the Postseason, the Potters are carrying a 7-3 record across their previous ten games, and will play the Crawdads in the Wild Card Round of the CCL 30 Postseason on Tuesday, August 1st at 4:00 pm PST.
#6 Orange County Riptide (⬇2)
League Record: 20-15
League Record This Week: 2-2
Overall Record: 21-16
Overall Record This Week: 2-2
The Riptide came into the CCL’s final week with just a half-game lead for the first seed in the South Division over the Arroyo Seco Saints, who they happened to play to start the week. Orange County lost the decisive game 8-4, and despite winning two out of three against the San Luis Obispo Blues, they still ended up one game behind the Saints, They will still end the season with a great 20-15 record and possession of the No. 2 seed.
The Riptide had many contributors on the offensive end this week, with four different batters – outfielder Nick Upstill (Pepperdine), infielder Nathan Cadena (San Jose State), first baseman Grant MacArthur (San Joaquin Delta College) and outfielder Patrick Hackworth (California San Diego) – totaling at least five hits. The infielders were the big hitters this week, with Cadena racking up three doubles while MacArthur drove in the team’s only home run. Upstill had the team’s single-game high in hits with three in Game 1 against SLO, while Hackworth made his mark with consistency, recording a hit in every game he played this week.
Orange County had some stellar pitching performances in the Blues series to help them secure their wins. Right-handed pitcher Matthew Maloney was a strikeout machine in Game 2, retiring nine batters with K’s while conceding just three hits and one earned run. Right-handed pitchers Connor Kinney and Brett Garcia were both on lockdown in the season finale, with Kinney only letting on two base runners in 4.0 innings while Garcia struck out seven out of the eight batters he faced in 2.2 innings.
The Riptide will host the CCL 30 South Wildcard Game against the Conejo Oaks, who they are 6-2 against this season, for a chance for a rematch against the Saints in the Divisional Round.
#7 Conejo Oaks (–)
League Record: 16-19
League Record This Week: 2-3
Overall Record: 18-19
Overall Record This Week: 2-3
With a narrow 6-5 win over the Barons on July 30 – the final day of the regular season – the Conejo Oaks locked up the CCL South Division’s third and final playoff spot in dramatic fashion.
Offensively, it was three of the Oaks’ top bats – catcher Brendan Durfee (Cal Lutheran) plus outfielders McCabe Moyer (Oregon) and Austin Carrillo (Biola) – that got it done down the stretch. In 18 at-bats on the week, Carrillo recorded eight hits, four doubles and two RBI while Moyer went 8-for-25 with a double and triple.
One of the Oaks’ most reliable hitters over the past three summers, Durfee also delivered when his team needed it most, totaling nine knocks in 19 at-bats with three doubles, a home run and five RBI this week. The Monrovia, Calif. native’s best performance undoubtedly came on July 29 at Santa Barbara, as he went a perfect 4-for-4 including a pair of doubles and an RBI.
In addition to timely hitting, Conejo fed off strong outings from bullpen arms in both of its wins this week. On July 25, right-handed reliever Charlie Adamson (Undecided) kept the ‘Sters off the scoresheet in all 4.0 innings he pitched, as he allowed three hits and retired two via the strikeout. Southpaw Michael Alan Stanford (College of the Desert) entered the season finale in the seventh and fanned three in 2.1 scoreless frames, helping the Oaks punch their ticket to the CCL 30 Postseason.
Conejo is slated to continue its quest for the CCL 30 State Championship on August 1 at 7 p.m. PST, when the Oaks visit the Riptide for the South Division’s CCL 30 Wild Card Round.
#8 Sonoma Stompers (–)
League Record: 16-19
League Record This Week: 3-3
Overall Record: 25-21
Overall Record This Week: 3-3
The Stompers began the week two games out of a North Division Playoff spot. Sonoma did play spoilers to the Walnut Creek Crawdad’s chance at clinching the one seed, beating them in two out of three to end the season.
Third baseman Michael Bell (Cal Poly SLO) was a key component in the Stompers’ wins, going 3-for-5 with a two-run homer in game 1 and 2-for-4 in game 3. Outfielder Logan Azem (San Francisco) made his mark against the Admirals, totaling seven hits in the series, along with a double and four RBI. Fellow outfielder Jag Burden (Cal) had great performances in both series, having a noteworthy 4-for-4 performance in game 3 against the Admirals and tallying five hits in 13 at-bats in the three games against Walnut Creek,
Right-handed pitchers Chase Minor (San Diego) and Aidan Colin (Cal State Northridge) both played a big part in the Game 1 win against the Crawdads, with Minor striking out seven batters in 4.0 innings while giving up two runs and Colin only conceding one hit in 3.0 innings to go along with four strikeouts. Right-handed pitcher Joey Van Dusen (Sacramento Community College) was electric in game 3 against Walnut Creek, striking out six out of the ten batters he faced in 3.0 innings.
The Stompers conclude the season with a 25-21 overall record and a 16-19 league record, good for fourth in the CCL North Division and 2.5 games out of a playoff spot.
#9 San Luis Obispo Blues (–)
League Record: 15-20
League Record This Week: 2-4
Overall Record: 22-24
Overall Record This Week: 2-4
The Blues started this week just half a game out of the third and final seed in the CCL South Division and had six games to make up ground.
The Blues’ bread and butter this season has been pitching, and that didn’t change much in their final week. Right-handed pitcher Matthew Gonzales (University of Colorado, Colorado Springs) was in control in his 7.0 innings against the Barons, only letting four batters on base with none scoring along with seven strikeouts. Left-handed pitcher Chris Stuart (Texas) tallied eight strikeouts in his 5.1 innings in game 2 against the Riptide, while RHP Justin Feld (Gonzaga) was very important in the Saints’ win, surrendering only two runs in 6.0 innings.
Centerfielder Jacob Ruley (CSU Bakersfield) had himself quite a week, totaling six hits in 20 at-bats along with a double and five RBI. Catcher Matt Spear batted .364 in his team’s final week while adding on a double and a home run as well.
The Blues end the season with a 22-24 overall record and a 15-20 league record, which puts them fourth in the South Division, one game out of a playoff spot.
#10 MLB Youth Academy Barons (–)
League Record: 8-27
League Record This Week: 1-4
Overall Record: 8-27
Overall Record This Week: 1-4
Despite opening the week with a series-clinching victory over the Blues, the MLB Youth Academy Barons would go on to lose three straight to the Arroyo Seco Saints before dropping their season finale against the Oaks, 6-5.
The Barons’ most reliable hitter this week was infielder Thomas Williams (Santa Ana College), who has been a catalyst all summer long. Williams logged six knocks, four walks and two RBI in 18 at-bats this week, finishing his season with a .274 average. Outfielder Jacob Klinovsky (Cal State East Bay) was also a key contributor, going 4-for-17 with a double and two RBI.
Infielder Kamau Neighbors (Cal State Northridge) wrapped up an exceptional summer that saw him lead the Barons in hits (41) and OPS (.958). Neighbors is also tied for the most walks drawn (23) and has the second-highest average (.357) in the CCL South Division.
On the mound, right-hander Francisco Lopez (Cerritos College) set the tone in his 3.0-inning start against the Blues on Jul. 26, allowing two baserunners and fanning three to hold San Luis scoreless. At the tail end of the game, right-hander Maximus Berber (Whittier College) earned his third save of the year with two strikeouts and a walk in 1.0 inning of work.
#11 Solano Mudcats (–)
League Record: 6-28
League Record This Week: 1-3
Overall Record: 7-32
Overall Record This Week: 1-3
The Solano Mudcats entered this week with two games against the Lincoln Potters and two games against the Healdsburg Prune Packers.
The Mudcats bounced back in their second game against Lincoln, defeating the Potters 9-7. Two-Way player Jake Tandy was the clear MVP of the game, doing his best Shohei Ohtani impression. At the plate, Tandy went 2-for-6 with three RBI on a home run and a double. On the mound, Tandy got the win in 1.1 innings of work, allowing just one base runner on a walk and striking out three.
The Mudcats got one more start out their season’s horse agains the Packers. Right-handed pitcher Caleb Davis (Sonoma State) finished the season ranked second in the league in innings pitched with 39.0, and in one final start he had one of his best outings of the season. In 5.0 innings pitched against the top-seeded Prune Packers, Davis allowed just four hits and one run, striking out three and walking no one.
The ‘Cats got impressive performances too from infielder Jeff Hoffman (Willamette), Tandy, infielder Alec Nava (San Joaquin Delta) and catcher Bronson Balholm (Arizona State).
Full List:
By CCL Reporters Sean Brennan, Sam Nute, and Dylan Wickman
July 31, 2023 // Updated as of 12 a.m.
2023 CCL 30 POSTSEASON
Today, the 2023 California Collegiate League regular season will come to an end, and the landscape of the CCL 30 Postseason – the capstone of the league’s 30th year – will be solidified. A new format will be introduced for this summer’s playoffs, replacing the double-elimination, round-robin layout used for the past two seasons, as five squads will vie to dethrone the two-time defending champion Healdsburg Prune Packers.
The top three seeds based on league record in both the CCL North and South Divisions qualify for the tournament and a chance to reach the CCL 30 State Championship, a best two-out-of-three series taking place from Friday to Sunday, August 4-6. A coin flip at an offseason league meeting determined that the CCL South Division will host the State Championship this year, with the site rotating back and forth between divisions in subsequent years.
Each division’s second and third-ranked teams will kick off the postseason facing off in the single-elimination CCL Wild Card Round on Tuesday, August 1. The winner of the two Wild Card games will then take on their respective division’s first-place team on Wednesday, August 2 for a chance at the CCL crown.
Sitting at 26-9, the Healdsburg Prune Packers are the current host for the No. 1 seed in the North Division and have clinched a postseason berth. After temporarily ceding first place to the Crawdads, Healdsburg took control of the division’s top spot on July 28 and clinched the No. 1 seed with a Crawdads loss on Jul. 31.
However, the aforementioned Walnut Creek Crawdads (25-9) enter the postseason on the heels of an exceptional regular season that saw them challenge the Pack for the North Division’s No. 1 spot until the very end. Walnut Creek’s quest for the CCL 30 State Championship begins when it hosts the CCL 30 Wild Card Round on August 1.
The Crawdads’ opponent in the Wild Card Round is the Lincoln Potters, who clinched the third and final playoff spot in the North Division with a win on July 28. With a league record of 20-15, the Potters have had an up-and-down time in 2023, but have gone 8-3 in their last 12 contests – a stretch that includes series victories over Healdsburg and Walnut Creek.
Rounding out the North are the Sonoma Stompers and Solano Mudcats, who have both been officially eliminated.
Despite remaining unclear until the last minute, the CCL South Division playoff picture is finally solidified. The second-ranked Arroyo Seco Saints have claimed the South’s No. 1 spot with a 21-14 mark, as the division-winning Santa Barbara Foresters (23-10) have elected to compete in NBC World Series, a tournament they have won 10 times. Locked into the No. 2 slot is the Orange County Riptide, who will host the CCL 30 Wild Card Round.
With a win over the MLB Youth Academy Barons on Jul. 30 – the last day of the regular season – the Conejo Oaks (16-19) have clinched the third and final CCL 30 Postseason berth in the South. As a result, the San Luis Obispo Blues (15-20) have been officially eliminated.
Rounding out the division are the Barons, who are 8-26 in league play and have won four of their last five games. As of July 26, the Academy is officially eliminated from playoff contention.
Follow all the action as the quest for the CCL 30 State Championship heats up.
By CCL Reporters Sean Brennan, Sam Nute and Dylan Wickman
Week 7 of the CCL 30 Regular Season is in the books, so it is time for another edition of the North and South Players of the Week. In the North, Craig Schmich of the Lincoln Potters takes home a North Pitcher of the Week for the Potters’ third this season, and Ivan Brethowr made an immediate splash for the Healdsburg Prune Packers, earning him North Hitter of the Week. In the South, Sean Youngerman and Hunter Watkins combined for a no-hitter and were honored as Co-South Pitchers of the Week. The Academy Barons’ Kamau Neighbors continued his excellent season and was awarded South Hitter of the Week.
CCL North Division // Hitter of the Week
The Healdsburg Prune Packer lineup has been one of the best lineups in the CCL, with many of their players topping the league in offensive categories. However, their lineup just got better with the addition of the Week 7 North Hitter of the Week, OF/IF Ivan Brethowr (UC Santa Barbara).
Brethowr did not join the Prune Packers until this week, and he couldn’t have made a better first impression. In the five games for the Packers this week, Brethowr went 8-for-20 with 12 RBI and a whopping five home runs, going yard in all but one game this week. The highlight performance of Brethowr’s week was in Healdsburg’s 30-2 win over the Mudcats. The Massachusetts native went 3-for-3 with two home runs, five RBI and two runs scored.
Brethowr’s five home runs this week catapulted him to a tie for second most in the CCL, but it is not too surprising given his season at UCSB. In 45 games played, Brethowr hit .314 with ten home runs and 12 doubles, ranking near the top of the team in many statistical categories. His performance earned him a selection to the All-Big West First Team.
With the CCL 30 Postseason fast approaching, Brethowr looks to play a key part in the Prune Packers’ quest for a third consecutive CCL State Championship.
CCL North Division // Pitcher of the Week
The Lincoln Potters had an exceptional week, beating the No.1 Healdsburg Prune Packers and No. 2 Walnut Creek Crawdads in four out of six games to build a two-game cushion for a playoff spot. One of those games was a tight-knit 7-6 win that couldn’t have been done without the work of RHP Craig Schmich (Minot State), who earns this week’s North Division Pitcher of the Week.
To put things into context, the Packers’ offense averages 8.43 runs per game and has scored double-digit runs in nine out of 30 games this season. The numbers didn’t affect Schmich, as he shut down Healdsburg’s offense for 5.2 innings. He ended up conceding only six hits and zero earned runs while accruing a dazzling ten strikeouts, tied for the most by anyone in the CCL this season. His efforts were paramount in earning the crucial victory and his first league win of the season.
Schmich has become accustomed to striking out batters in his junior season as a Beaver, as he tallied five or more Ks in six out of 13 appearances last season, his season-high being nine against Southwest Baptist. He helped lead MSU to a 29-19 record, sporting a 1.39 WHIP and accumulating five wins in nine starts.
He has carried that momentum into this summer, totaling 19 strikeouts in 12.6 innings while giving up zero earned runs in three out of five appearances. He will need to stay on his game as the Potters look to secure a spot in the CCL 30 Wild Card Round, which takes place in August. 1.
CCL South Division // Hitter of the Week
This week’s CCL South Hitter of the Week is second-year MLB Academy Barons infielder and two-time CCL Showcase Game selection Kamau Neighbors (Cal State Northridge), who played a massive part in his team putting together its best stretch of the season during Week 7. Neighbors is the second straight member of the Academy to take home a CCL South Player of the Week distinction, as right-handed pitcher Ruben Del Castillo (Wagner College) was honored last week.
Neighbors have been a focal point of the Barons’ lineup for the entire season. Still, the Carson, Calif. native elevated his play to a new level this week, logging 12 hits in 23 at-bats – including a double, triple, and a home run – without striking out once. Additionally, Neighbors recorded four walks and seven RBI, helping the Academy win three of their last four games to achieve a 3-3 Week 7 mark.
After enjoying a strong 2022 campaign that saw him slash .305/.500/.326 in 95 at-bats, Neighbors has taken the league by storm a year later, once again cementing himself as one of the Barons’ most dangerous weapons. With one week left in the 2023 regular season, he has logged four more at-bats (99) than last year and leads the CCL South Division in average (.384) and hits (38) while driving in 11 runs. Neighbors has also demonstrated masterful plate discipline all season long and boasts 18 walks drawn with just seven strikeouts.
The 2023 spring was Neighbors’ first at Cal State Northridge, where he transferred after spending the first three years of his collegiate tenure at Long Beach City College. During his inaugural campaign with the Matadors, Neighbors took the field for 21 games and totaled eight hits, two doubles, a home run, and eight RBI in 36 at-bats.
While the Barons have been eliminated from the CCL 30 Postseason, Neighbors will look to end his 2023 campaign with a bang and earn his second straight CCL All-League Selection.
CCL South Division // Pitcher of the Week
One of the rarest feats a pitching staff can accomplish is a combined no-hitter, but Santa Barbara Foresters righties Sean Youngerman (Westmont College) and Hunter Watkins (Grand Canyon) did just that on Jul. 20. In a 4-0 victory over the Saints, Youngerman and Watkins became the second duo to record a no-no this season – the Riptide achieved the first on Jun. 24 – earning Week 7 CCL South Division co-Pitcher of the Week honors.
Starting his second game of the season, Youngerman struck out four and was nearly impeccable in 6.0 innings on the mound, as three walks proved the only blemishes on his outing. Watkins entered the game in the sixth and sealed the win for his predecessor, holding Arroyo Seco off the basepaths and fanning five to earn his inaugural save of the summer.
Members of a talented ‘Sters staff that has a CCL-best 2.43 ERA in league play, both contributors to Santa Barbara’s no-hitter, have enjoyed solid seasons to date. Youngerman has yet to allow an earned run and has accumulated 21 strikeouts in 19 innings pitched this summer, while Watkins owns a 2.55 ERA and 17 strikeouts through 17.2 frames.
During his freshman campaign at Westmont College, Youngerman logged the fourth-most innings pitched (30.1) along with 33 strikeouts, a 2.97 ERA and 1.02 WHIP, and is a promising piece of the Warriors’ future. While he is entering his freshman year at GCU, Watkins has a bright future in his own right, as he was California’s 64th-ranked high school overall prospect in 2023, according to Perfect Game.
Both Youngerman and Watkins will likely be called upon as the Foresters look to secure their third straight CCL South Division regular season title this week.
Photo Credit: Jordan Georgeson
By CCL Reporters Sean Brennan, Sam Nute and Dylan Wickman
With the conclusion of Week 7, one week remains in the CCL summer season, as the CCL 30 Postseason is set to begin on August 1. While two teams have already secured a spot in the tournament, the playoff race has intensified in both divisions, making for an exciting week of baseball. Each team is carefully ranked based on their overall record, week record, strength of schedule, and recent trends. Read below to find out where each team stands after Week 7.
#1 Healdsburg Prune Packers (–)
League Record: 24-6
League Record This Week: 3-3
Overall Record: 36-6
Overall Record This Week: 3-3
Entering this week, the Healdsburg Prune Packers were riding a 14-game winning streak, and despite losing just their second series of the season, ended the week with a 3-3 record, clinching the first spot in the CCL 30 Postseason.
The Prune Packers suffered their first loss, and first series loss, since their series against the Crawdads in late June. However, after an explosive offensive performance against the Mudcats to close out the week, the Prune Packers still have a couple of outstanding performances.
Outfielder/Infielder Ivan Brethowr (UC Santa Barbara) got his first taste of CCL league play this week and performed outstanding, going 8-for-20 with 12 RBI and five home runs. Two-way player Connor Charpiot continued his All-League caliber season, going 12-for-24 with two doubles and a home run plus seven RBI. Charpiot is slashing .446/.561/.662 at the plate and has 12 strikeouts in 6.2 innings pitched on the mound.
In their 5-1 win over the Potters, Healdsburg got a couple of great pitching performances. Left-handed pitcher Christopher Stamos (Undecided) got the win, throwing 4.0 innings while striking out four and giving up just two hits. Behind him was RHP Michael Rice, who went 2.1 innings, giving up just one earned run and striking out five.
Next week, the Packers will look to clinch the North Division No. 1 seed with a huge series against the Crawdads before closing the season with a two-game set against the Mudcats.
#2 Walnut Creek Crawdads (–)
League Record: 21-8
League Record This Week: 4-2
Overall Record: 29-8
Overall Record This Week: 4-2
The Walnut Creek Crawdads got the week started with three high-scoring wins against the Mudcats before losing a tight and competitive series against the Potters. On the way, the Dads’ clinched the second CCL 30 Postseason spot in the North Division.
The Crawdads’ offense is on a tear right now, scoring double-digit runs in five of their last seven games and totaling 77 runs dating back to last Sunday. After starting the season in a bit of a slump, infielder Max Farfan (Illinois Chicago) and outfielder Tyson Pointer (Texas Arlington) have found their stride and have lengthened out the Crawdads’ lineup. But the star of the last week has been outfielder Brian DuRoff who went 9-for-28 with 11 RBI on two home runs and a double.
The amount of runs that the offense has scored has overshadowed what was a rough week for the Crawdads’ on the mound. Despite that, LHP Sean Fitzpatrick (Arkansas) continues to be Walnut Creek’s best pitcher. In a three-inning outing against the Potters, “Fitzmagic” struck out six batters, allowing zero runs on just two hits.
Next week, the Crawdads will battle with the Prune Packers for a chance at the No. 1 seed in the North Division playoffs. They will close the season with a three-game series against the Stompers.
#3 Santa Barbara Foresters (–)
League Record: 21-9
League Record This Week: 3-2
Overall Record: 25-9
Overall Record This Week: 4-2
With a 3-2 record, the Santa Barbara Foresters have posted a winning record for the sixth consecutive week – one that provided no shortage of excitement. After dropping their first game of the week to the Arroyo Seco Saints, Santa Barbara rebounded with a non-league win and sealed a series split with Arroyo Seco a day later, logging their first combined no-hitter of the summer two days later.
This milestone proved all the CCL South-leading ‘Sters needed. They would go on to take a three-game series from the second-place Riptide, building their division lead to 2.5 games with a week remaining in the regular season.
Infielder Eamonn Lance (Arizona State) was one of Santa Barbara’s most productive hitters this week, batting .353 with two doubles, a solo shot, and two RBI in 17 at-bats. Also providing some pop at the plate was backstop Rylan Galvan (Texas), who went 4-for-13 while recording two homers, two doubles, and four RBI.
The Foresters’ biggest pitching story of the week belongs to right-handers Sean Youngerman (Westmont) and Hunter Watkins (Grand Canyon), the duo responsible for Santa Barbara’s combined no-no on July 20. Youngerman and Watkins simply couldn’t be touched, as they fanned a collective nine Saints while issuing just three walks in the 4-0 win.
Another notable performance on the mound for Santa Barbara was that of righty Carson Turnquist (Oklahoma), who started his first game of the summer in the rubber match against the Riptide on July 23. The Paso Robles, Calif. native set the tone in his team’s 9-4 victory, allowing just two baserunners while striking out five in 6.0 innings – and earning his third win of the 2023 campaign.
Next week, the Foresters will look to lock up their third straight CCL South Division regular season title, but it won’t be easy. Their final five contests are against the Oaks and Blues, the two squads fighting for the CCL South’s final playoff spot.
#4 Orange County Riptide (⬆2)
League Record: 18-13
League Record This Week: 2-3
Overall Record: 19-14
Overall Record This Week: 2-3
The Riptide came into Week 7 looking to solidify their playoff position with two key South series — a two-game stint against the San Luis Obispo Blues and three games against the Santa Barbara Foresters — but couldn’t quite capitalize on the opportunity. They split against the Blues before losing two out of three against Santa Barbara, who pulled out a 10-9 nail-biter in Game 1. Despite this, Orange County is still in sole possession of the first seed in the South.
Outfielder Patrick Hackworth (UC San Diego) more than found his rhythm this week, putting up two or more hits in three games while tallying five RBI. Infielder Nathan Cadena (San Jose State) was consistent as well, hitting 4-for-13 and stealing three bases, while outfielders Grady Morgan (Fresno State) and Reese Chapman (Tennessee) were responsible for each of the Riptide’s home runs this week.
The pitching staff put together some stat-stuffing performances as well in Week 7. In the Foresters series, RHPs Jack Kirrer (Cal) and Tyler Valdez (Arizona State) each gave up one earned run in their appearances and struck out six and seven batters, respectively. Fellow righty Josh Randall (San Diego) stepped up in game two against the Blues, retiring six batters with strikeouts and giving up two hits and one earned run.
The Riptide will have some more important games in the South for the final week of the season, starting with one against the Saints, who sit one game below them, and three games against the Blues.
#5 Arroyo Seco Saints (–)
League Record: 17-13
League Record This Week: 3-1
Overall Record: 19-13
Overall Record This Week: 3-1
Winning six of their last eight league contests with the CCL 30 Postseason looming on the horizon, the Saints picked the perfect time to heat up. This week, Arroyo Seco went 1-1 against the Foresters before picking up two hard-fought victories over the Blues, comfortably positioning themselves in the CCL South Division’s second playoff spot with a three-game lead over the Oaks.
Despite putting up 21 runs in four games, the Saints didn’t have a single far-and-away offensive leader. During his team’s two games in San Luis Obispo, outfielder Kyte McDonald (Wichita State) found his stride, accumulating four hits, a solo shot, and two RBI in ten at-bats. Another Shocker to headline Arroyo Seco’s lineup this week is infielder Jordan Rogers (Wichita State), who went 4-for-12 with a double and four RBI.
Playing in his first week of CCL action, newcomer Thomas Golbranson (Undecided) didn’t need any time to get comfortable. The infielder totaled four knocks – including a three-hit night against the Blues on July 21 – in addition to two walks, three RBI, and a lone strikeout and will look to become another weapon for the Saints heading into the postseason.
During Arroyo Seco’s loss to the ‘Sters on July 20, right-hander Carter Herrera (Cal State Fullerton) was strong, conceding no earned runs and striking out five in a 6.0-inning start. Two days earlier, right-handed reliever Jacob Henderson (Iowa) picked up his first save of the summer in another dominant outing on the bump. The second-year Saint was flawless in 5.0 frames, as he didn’t allow a baserunner and struck out eight, preserving his 0.00 season ERA.
Next week, the Saints will face the Blues and Riptide before rounding out the regular season with a three-game series against the Barons.
#6 Lincoln Potters (⬆1)
League Record: 15-14
League Record This Week: 4-2
Overall Record: 25-16
Overall Record This Week: 4-3
The Potters came into this week with the odds stacked against them. They owned the third and final seed in the North by 2.5 games and had two three-game series against the No. 1 Healdsburg Prune Packers and the No. 2 Walnut Creek Crawdads. The Potters won both series against the top two seeds in the North to give themselves a two-game divisional cushion for a CCL 30 Postseason berth.
Lincoln needed great performances on both sides of the ball to earn these wins, and they got just that. For the pitching staff, LHP Arthur Steinkamp (New Mexico) and RHP Craig Schmich (Minot State) were vital in the Packers’ wins, while RHPs Eric Vasser (Sacramento CC) and Toran O’Harran (Stanford) came through against Walnut Creek.
Steinkamp closed the last 4.0 innings in game one against Healdsburg, allowing three hits and zero runs, while Schmich had a whopping ten strikeouts in the game three effort. Vasser gave up just one hit and a run in 2.0 innings during the two-run win against the Crawdads, while O’Harran struck out five batters and surrendered just one run in Game 3.
Catcher Nolan Wilson had an exceptional week hitting for Lincoln, going 9-for-21 with two doubles, a home run, and eight RBI in four games. He was especially important in the game one win against the Packers, as he went 4-for-5 with three runs and two RBI. Infielder Patrick Herrera and outfielder Payton Brennan (UCLA) also had themselves a week, with Herrera hitting a home run in Games 1 and 3 against the Packers while totaling six hits for the week and Brennan hitting a double in all four games he played while tallying seven hits.
The Potters will look forward to two three-game series against the Solano Mudcats and the CCL affiliate Bay Area Admirals as they look to hold on to their playoff spot.
#7 Conejo Oaks (⬇3)
League Record: 14-16
League Record This Week: 1-2
Overall Record: 15-16
Overall Record This Week: 1-2
While Week 7 – which featured a series loss to the Barons and a non-league victory – didn’t yield the results the Conejo Oaks had hoped for, there is one major positive from their most recent four-game stretch. The Oaks are still heavily in the CCL 30 Postseason conversation, with Conejo a half-game ahead of the Blues for the South Division’s third and final playoff spot.
The reigning CCL South Hitter of the Week, McCabe Moyer (Oregon), continued his hot streak, going 9-for-23 with a double and three RBI. Moyer’s excellent previous two weeks have raised his slash line to .330/.367/.408.
On the bump, RHP Cole Fisher was once again excellent on the mound, throwing 2.1 innings and striking out five of his ten batters while giving up zero runs on two hits. Across two outings this week, LHP Tobias Plotkin (Glendale CC) performed well, giving up zero runs in 5.0 innings pitched and striking out three.
The Oaks will be in a battle for the final playoff spot in the South. A four-game set with the Foresters highlights next week’s schedule.
#8 Sonoma Stompers (⬆1)
League Record: 13-16
League Record This Week: 3-1
Overall Record: 22-18
Overall Record This Week: 3-1
The Stompers have put together an impressive late-season surge, winning six of their last eight games to put them two games out of a playoff spot. Sonoma’s offense scored 30 runs across five games to power the team to three wins against the CCL affiliate Bay Area Admirals this week.
Catcher Omar Gastelum (San Jose State) led the way racking up eight hits and 11 RBI. The All-Star’s best performance came in Game 2 when he went 3-for-4, hitting two doubles and driving in five runners total. Outfielder Jag Burden (Cal) matched that hit total in that same game while batting in three runners. He now has tallied nine hits over his last five appearances.
The best performance on the mound came from LHP Austin Steeves. He made his CCL debut in game four but looked like a professional on the mound. He pitched 7.0 innings and surrendered just two hits and one run while striking out two hitters. The pitching staff had their best all-around performance in Game 1 when RHP Joey Van Dusen (Sacramento CC), LHP Clayton Longinotti (San Jose State), and RHP Alfredo Capacete (UC Riverside) came together to strike out 11 batters and limit the Admirals to two runs.
The Stompers will face the Admirals for three more games and the Walnut Creek Crawdads for two next week to try and keep their postseason hopes alive.
#9 San Luis Obispo Blues(⬇1)
League Record: 13-16
League Record This Week: 2-4
Overall Record: 20-20
Overall Record This Week: 2-4
The Blues had three pairs of two-game series in the South to try and make some ground in the standings. They started things well by splitting with No. 1 seed Orange County Riptide but were swept by the Saints after in a couple of tightly contested contests. They ended the week splitting a doubleheader against the MLB Academy Barons. San Luis Obispo now sits a half-game out of a playoff spot.
In the Game 1 win against the Riptide, the Blues found their groove and put up their highest run total of the season with 13. Infielder Sam DeCarlo (Washington), catcher Matt Spear (San Jose State), and outfielder Jeriah Lewis each (San Jose State) recorded two hits in the effort. The Blues put up seven runs in game two against the Saints, a game that saw Lewis record two more hits and a home run. Outfielder Matt Masciangelo (Undecided) had his bat hot all week long, going 7-for-16 with two doubles.
The pitching staff had strong performances all around this week. Right-handed pitcher Kaden Tynes (Cuesta College) closed the last 4.0 innings in the Riptide win, limiting Orange County to only three hits and zero earned runs. Righty Grant Cunningham (Washington) and LHP Chris Stuart (Undecided) each struck out six batters in their outings. Stuart gave up just two runs, while Cunningham didn’t surrender any.
The Blues will have another six-game slate in the league’s final week to try and move into a postseason spot. They will have individual games against the Saints, Barons, and Foresters, plus a three-game series against the Riptide.
#10 Academy Barons (–)
League Record: 7-23
League Record This Week: 3-3
Overall Record: 7-23
Overall Record This Week: 3-3
Week 7 was the MLB Youth Academy Barons’ best of the summer to date, as they split a four-game series with the Oaks before going 1-1 in a doubleheader with the Blues on July 23, ending the week with a 3-3 mark.
Infielder Kamau Neighbors (Cal State Northridge) has been consistent all season long – leading the CCL South Division with a .384 average – and unsurprisingly spearheaded the Barons’ recent success. The CCL 30 Showcase Game selection recorded multiple hits in four of his last six games, finishing the week with 12 knocks – three of which were for extra bases – four walks, seven RBI, and no strikeouts in 23 at-bats.
Despite his staggering numbers on the week, Neighbors wasn’t the only contributor to the Academy’s success at the plate. Fellow infielder Thomas Williams (Santa Ana College) went 7-for-18 with three doubles and two RBI while only striking out twice.
Perhaps the most interesting Baron this week, however, was two-way player Maximus Berber (Whittier College), who shined in his team’s 8-2 win over Conejo on July 22. After recording three hits – one of which drove in a pair of runs – Berber closed out the game on the hill, holding the Oaks scoreless in the ninth to seal a series split.
Solely on the mound, reigning CCL South Pitcher of the Week Ruben Del Castillo (Wagner College) had a solid 7.0-inning start in Game 1 against the Blues, striking out five while earning one earned run. Right-hander Harold Boyce was also productive in Game 2 of the doubleheader, as he fanned four and also conceded a single earned run in 6.0 frames.
The Barons’ final series of the regular season – a three-game set with the Saints – is sandwiched in between the series finale against the Blues and a one-off in Thousand Oaks.
#11 Solano Mudcats (–)
League Record: 5-25
League Record This Week: 1-4
Overall Record: 6-29
Overall Record This Week: 1-4
On Sunday the Mudcats knocked off the Prune Packers with a walk-off win in 10 innings, snapping their win streak and ending the week on a high note.
The Mudcats received identical contributions from two-way player Jake Tandy (Pacific) and infielder Jeff Hoffman (Willamette). Both players went 2-for-5 with two RBI. With Tandy as the automatic runner on second to start the 10th inning, Hoffman drove him in with a single and sent the Mudcats celebrating.
On the mound, RHP Caleb Davis (Sonoma State) scattered five runs and nine hits through 7.0 innings. However, those would be the last runs the Packers would score in the game as LHP Tyler Lamperti (Cosumnes River College) came and closed the door on Healdsburg. Lamperti went 3.0 scoreless innings giving up just two hits while striking out only one. Lamperti’s performance gave the offense enough time to pull off a four-run seventh inning to tie it up and eventually win in extras.
The Mudcats will look to play spoiler next week with a series against the Potters and a rematch with the Prune Packers.
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By CCL Reporters Sean Brennan, Sam Nute, and Dylan Wickman
The CCL is now into the latter half of the season, and teams are gearing up for postseason runs, which means the performances across the league are getting better and better. This week’s prime event was the CCL 30 Showcase Game, but many players put up strong numbers during league play to contend for Player of the Week honors.
The Week 6 hitters of the week are Lincoln Potters infielder Zachary Chamizo for the North Division and Conejo Oaks outfielder McCabe for the South. The best performances on the mound this week came from Walnut Creek Crawdads LHP Sean Fitzpatrick for the North and Academy Barons RHP Ruben Del Castillo down south. Read about how each player earned their award down below.
CCL North Division // Hitter of the Week
The Lincoln Potters’ have had two North Pitchers of the Week so far this year, and, for the first time this season, they have taken home North Hitter of the Week. Infiedler Zachary Chamizo (UC Riverside) is the Week 6 North Hitter of the Week for his performance in the Potters’ thrilling series against the Walnut Creek Crawdads.
Chamizo has had an excellent season this year, finishing the first half with a .322/.453/.441 slashine. In the Potters’ first series of the second half they were going up against North Rival Walnut Creek Crawdads’, and, despite the series loss, Chamizo performed excellently. Across three games, Chamizo went 6-for-13 with five RBI and two triples. Chamizo was on the basepaths all series, scoring four runs with four walks.
Chamizo’s slashline now is .347/.478/.500 with a monster .978 OPS. Last season with Sierra College, Chamizo hit .359 in 36 games played with 21 RBI and 15 walks. His performance earned him a transfer to UC Riverside for his Junior season.
CCL North Division // Pitcher of the Week
The Walnut Creek Crawdads’ have had an excellent year so far this season, and that is made obvious by the league-high ten players sent to the CCL 30 Showcase Game. One of those players, and arguably the Crawdads’ best pitchers, is LHP Sean Fitzpatrick from the University of Arkansas.
In Fayetteville, Fitzpatrick is known by his popular nickname “Fitzmagic” and in his outing against the Lincoln Potters’ last week he played the part of magician. With the Crawdads’ down 6-2 and facing their first series loss since the beginning of the season, they called on Fitzpatrick for his longest outing of the season. Across 4.0 innings, Fitzpatrick shutout the Potters’ lineup while striking out eight batters and allowing zero hits and zero walks.
In a season full of masterful outings, Fitzpatrick delivered his best and allowed the Crawdads’ vaunted offense to get back into the game and eventually come out with the victory, earning Fitzmagic the win along the way. So far this season, the Spring, Texas native has a 1.89 ERA across 19 innings pitched walking just four batters compared to 27 strikeouts.
Fitzpatrick is set up to play a key role as the Crawdads’ battle with the Healdsburg Prune Packers for the CCL North Division Crown.
CCL South Division // Hitter of the Week
For the first time this season, a member of the Conejo Oaks has been selected as CCL South Division Hitter of the Week, with outfielder McCabe Moyer (Oregon) securing the award thanks to a monster four-game stretch at the plate. Moyer was one of four Oaks named to the CCL 30 Showcase Game on Jul. 12, and his recent play only confirmed he was deserving of his spot in the midsummer classic.
Entering Week 6 with a respectable .272/.367/.412 slashline on the season, the Washougal, Washington native proceeded to go 10-for-19 while logging two extra-base hits, four RBI, and just one strikeout – a performance that improved his average to .329. He recorded multiple hits in three of his four games and played a major role in Conejo’s two-game sweep of the Riptide, but Moyer’s best outing undoubtedly came on Jul. 15 against the Saints.
Moyer proved a bright spot in a 16-3 Oaks loss in Pasadena, as he finished the night a home run shy of the cycle and went a perfect 4-for-4. The rising sophomore once again caused probems for Arroyo Seco a day later – this time in a winning effort – going 2-for-5, swiping two bags and scoring a pair of runs to total six knocks through the two-game series.
Moyer will look to build off his big week and remain a catalyst as Conejo fights for a playoff spot down the stretch.
CCL South Division // Pitcher of the Week
The MLB Academy Barons take home their second South Division Pitcher of the Week honor this week. RHP Ruben Del Castillo (Wagner College) earned it for them by carving in his squad’s final game of the week against the San Luis Obispo Blues.
The Diamond Bar, California native had a special performance that saw him throw a no-hitter in 6.0 innings. In the process, Del Castillo struck out ten batters, which is tied for the highest number of strikeouts anyone in the CCL has had this season. It was a dominant performance in all facets that set the Barons up for success, but they couldn’t close it out and were walked off in the 10th innings.
Del Castillo played well in his senior season as a relief pitcher for the Seahawks last season. His best performance came in his 5.0 innings against Sacred Heart University on April 22, when he struck four batters and surrendered only a hit. Del Castillo does not plan to stop pitching in Division 1 baseball and will become a graduate transfer next season.
Del Castillo has had no problems finding the strike zone this season, averaging 15 K’s per nine innings in his three appearances. He’s posted an impressive 1.06 WHIP this summer with an ERA of 2.25. He’ll look to continue retiring batters for the Barons as they try to gain some momentum in the late stages of the season.
Photo Credit: Christina Thai
By CCL Reporters Sean Brennan, Sam Nute and Dylan Wickman
Another week is in the books for the CCL’s 30th Year. The league is officially heading to the homestretch of the 2023 summer season following the CCL 30 Showcase Game earlier this week. Due to the break in the middle of the week, most teams only played a maximum of four games. Each team is carefully ranked based on their overall record, week record, strength of schedule, and recent trends. Read below to find out which teams placed where after Week 6.
#1 Healdsburg Prune Packers (–)
League Record: 22-3
League Record This Week: 1-0
Overall Record: 33-3
Overall Record This Week: 4-0
After returning to the top of the CCL Power Rankings in Week 5, the Prune Packers continued their winning streak, extending to 14 consecutive wins. Before the Showcase Game break the Packers defeated the Stompers in a one-off game before sweeping a series against a non-league opponent over the weekend.
The offense continues to be the Packers’ strength, scoring 44 runs and averaging 11 runs a game across their four games this week. Utlity man Hunter Dorraugh (San Jose State) continued his impressive summer, going 8-for-16 with two home runs, two doubles and three RBI. Dorraugh is hitting .456 with six home runs and 28 RBI. A new arrival to the Prune Packers this week is outfielder Ivan Brethowr (UC Santa Barbara). In his first three games as a Packer, Brethowr went 6-for-12 with two doubles and 6 RBI.
On the mound, RHP Marvcus Gaurin (Pacific) had his best outing of the year, going 5.0 strong innings giving up just one run on one hit while striking out eight. Guarin’s performance highlighted a strong week of the Prune Packers’ pitching staff as a whole, allowing just seven runs across their four games this week.
Next week, the Prune Packers return to CCL League Play with a three-game set with the Lincoln Potters before rounding the weekend off with two games against the Solano Mudcats.
#2 Walnut Creek Crawdads (–)
League Record: 16-6
League Record This Week: 3-1
Overall Record: 24-6
Overall Record This Week: 3-1
After sending a league-high 10 players to the CCL 30 Showcase Game, the Walnut Creek Crawdads’ returned to league play with a loss to the Lincoln Potters before turning it around with back-to-back thrilling wins to take the series.
Across their three games against the Potters, there was no shortage of offense as the teams combined to score 67 runs across just three games. The Crawdads’ biggest contributors included Ryan Brome (Texas Tech), Joey Donnelly (Cal) and Matt King (UTSA) each had impressive performances after returning from the Showcase Game. In a wild series finale, Brome and King combined for nine RBI and four doubles as the Crawdads’ won 18-16.
With offense reigning supreme, great pitching performances were few and far between in this series. Another Showcase Game member, Sean Fitzpatrick (Arkansas), had his best performance of the year. With the ‘Dads down 6-2 through five innings of Game 2 against Lincoln, Fitzpatrick came in and shut down the Potters’ offense, throwing 4.0 scoreless innings with a season-high eight strikeouts. The outing was the longest of the year and it gave the Crawdads’ offense enough time to comeback and take the win.
Next week, the Crawdads’ will take on the Mudcats for a three-game set before rematching with the Potters in a three-game series over the weekend.
#3 Santa Barbara Foresters (–)
League Record: 18-6
League Record This Week: 3-2
Overall Record: 21-6
Overall Record This Week: 3-2
The Santa Barbara Foresters kicked off the home stretch of the 2023 season in scorching-hot fashion, building upon their torrid stretch leading up to Week 6. After dropping their first contest of the week to the Blues, Santa Barbara won two straight over the Barons – sweeping the head-to-head season series – and picked up two more victories over the Riptide.
At the forefront of the ‘Sters offense over the last five games has been catcher Will Rogers (Michigan), who represented Santa Barbara in the CCL 30 Showcase Game on July 12. Rogers belted his first two homers of the season this week and totaled five knocks, a double and two RBI in 19 at-bats. Headlined by a three-hit, four-RBI night on Jul. 15 at the MLB Youth Academy, infielder Jalin Flores’ (Texas) week was also productive, with the Helotes, Texas native going 5-for-21 with two doubles and seven RBI.
Right-hander Ben Bybee (Arkansas) continued his strong summer on the mound on July 14 against the Barons, earning his third victory in as many starts with a lights-out performance. While he allowed six baserunners – five of which came on hits – in 6.0 innings of work, Bybee held the Academy scoreless and struck out six.
Rogers wasn’t the only Foresters’ Showcase Game selection to impress this week, as righty Zane Petty (Texas Tech) did so during Game 1 of the Riptide series. Through 5.0 innings of relief, he fanned nine and conceded an earned run to seal a 2-1 Santa Barbara victory. Petty was credited with the win and now owns a 3-0 record and 2.57 ERA over 14.0 innings in league play.
The ‘Sters have a packed Week 7 ahead that will see them face the Saints twice before beginning a three-game series with the Riptide.
#4 Conejo Oaks (⬆1)
League Record: 12-14
League Record This Week: 3-1
Overall Record: 13-14
Overall Record This Week: 3-1
The Conejo Oaks opened Week 6 with consecutive victories over the Riptide before running into a scorching Arroyo Seco squad, who would hand them their first and only loss of the week on July 15. Conejo would get revenge a day later, defeating the Saints to round out their best week since mid-June.
Despite boasting a solid overall summer to date – hitting .272 through July 9 and earning a spot in the CCL 30 Showcase Game – outfielder McCabe Moyer (Oregon) found another gear this week. In 19 at-bats, the rising sophomore totaled ten knocks including a double, triple and four RBI to bump his season average up to .329. Infielder Zachary Schwartzberg (Undecided) was also productive at the plate, going 6-for-14 with two doubles, three walks and a pair of runs driven in.
Aside from relinquishing an earned run, right-handed pitcher Kyle Dobyns (Grossmont) had a solid 3.0-inning start on July 13, as he allowed three hits and struck out four. Starter Alexander Rivas (UC Riverside) helped set the tone in the Oaks’ July 16 victory over the Saints, posting three scoreless frames and fanning two in 4.0 innings of work.
Next week, Conejo will see just one opponent – the MLB Youth Academy Barons. The two squads are slated to play four contests against each other, with each team hosting two games.
#5 Arroyo Seco Saints (⬆1)
League Record: 14-12
League Record This Week: 3-1
Overall Record: 16-12
Overall Record This Week: 4-1
Entering Week 6 with six losses in their previous eight contests, the Arroyo Seco Saints certainly got back on track, posting a 4-1 record since thanks to an explosive offense and sound pitching. On the heels of a walk-off non-league victory, the Saints swept a two-game set against the Blues – outscoring San Luis Obispo 20-1 during the series – and kept rolling with a 16-3 win over the Oaks. Arroyo Seco’s lineup was finally kept at bay on July 16, as it was held to just two runs in a 6-2 loss to Conejo.
As expected when a team plates 42 runs in five contests, the Saints’ offensive contributions came from numerous bats. Infielder Raider Tello (Iowa) logged at least one knock in every game he played this week, hitting .500 with a double and four RBI in 20 at-bats. Outfielder Connor Bradshaw went 5-for-15 with three doubles in four contests, but the stat that truly stands out is his eight runs driven in on the week.
Arroyo Seco’s most impressive single-game performance at the dish this week was from outfielder Preston Godfrey (New Mexico State), whose ability to hit for power was evident on July 15 against the Oaks. In six at-bats, Godfrey accumulated five RBI on two hits – a three-run homer along with a double that scored two more.
In a dominant win over the Blues on July 14, right-handers Caleb Reyes (Cal Poly Pomona), Jacob Henderson (Iowa), and Anthony Giannette (Louisiana Tech) posted a combined shutout, allowing nine baserunners and striking out ten. Despite an unearned run and walk, starter Carter Herrera (Cal State Fullerton) was virtually untouchable in 6.0 frames during Game 1 against San Luis Obispo, as he retired four via the strikeout and posted five scoreless innings.
Next week, the Saints will play a pair of two-game sets against the Foresters and Blues respectively.
#6 Orange County Riptide (⬇2)
League Record: 16-10
League Record This Week: 1-3
Overall Record: 17-11
Overall Record This Week: 1-3
The Riptide were coming off a five-game win streak last week but couldn’t keep the momentum this week, dropping two against the Conejo Oaks and splitting two against the Santa Barbara Foresters.
The Riptide’s pitching was headed by RHPs Jack Kirrer (Cal), who represented Orange County in the CCL 30 Showcase game and Tyler Valdez (Arizona State). Kirrer threw for 5.2 innings in game 1 against the Foresters, striking out five batters and giving up two hits while Valdez posted a season-high in strikeouts with nine to put his ERA at 0.85 for the summer. RHP Josh Randall (San Diego) allowed a season-low one hit in game 2 against Conejo while striking out five batters in 3.0 innings.
Orange County’s offense, while not as potent as it typically is, still had some quality performances. In Game 1 against Conejo, outfielder Patrick Hackworth (San Diego) finished 2-for-4 with a triple. He has logged a hit in eight of his last 10 games. Center fielder Grady Morgan (Fresno State) and infielder Nathan Cadena (San Jose State) each had two hits and a run in the win against Santa Barbara.
The Riptide will look to get back on track next week with two games against the San Luis Obispo Blues and two more against the Foresters.
# 7 Lincoln Potters (–)
League Record: 11-12
League Record This Week: 1-2
Overall Record: 22-13
Overall Record This Week: 2-2
The Potters’ only league action this week was a three-game series against the Walnut Creek Crawdads that saw them go 1-2. They rose their record to .500 for the week by picking up a win in non-league play.
Lincoln produced 33 runs in the series and had some impressive performances on the bats. Outfielder Dominic Rodriguez (San Joaquin Delta College) dominated in the game 1 win, going 4-for-5 with two runs and three RBI. Catcher Nolan Wilson (Nevada Reno) came off his CCL 30 Showcase Game appearance with a scorching performance in Game 3, also going 4-for-5 while hitting a double and accumulating two RBI. Shortstop Zachary Chamizo (Cal Riverside) was consistent all week, recording two hits in all three games this week and hitting back-to-back triples in games 2 and 3.
Lincoln’s pitching staff has its hands full against the dynamic Crawdad offense but had some nice performances in its efforts to contain them. Right-handed pitcher Toran O’Harran threw a whopping eight strikeouts in Game 3 in half-as-many innings while letting up two earned runs. Left-handed pitcher Arthur Steinkamp was solid in his 3.0 innings in game 2, letting up three hits and one run while striking out two.
The Potters will have a very tough schedule next week, playing three against the No. 1 Healdsburg Prune Packers and three more against the No. 2 Crawdads.
#8 San Luis Obispo Blues (–)
League Record: 11-12
League Record This Week: 3-2
Overall Record: 18-16
Overall Record This Week: 3-2
The Blues started this week with a big win against the Santa Barbara Foresters, but that momentum was quickly squandered by the Arroyo Seco Saints, who swept them in a two-game series. SLO managed to go above .500 for the week, however, producing a sweep of their own against the MLB Academy Barons.
The Blues’ pitching was not quite as lockdown as it had been in previous weeks, but it still had some nice performances. RHP Justin Feld (Gonzaga) made just his second appearance of the season against the Foresters, and he made the most of it, striking out five batters in 4.0 innings while giving up zero runs. RHPs Grant Cunningham (Washington) and Fisher Johnson (USC) were both solid in their respective outings against the Barons, combining to pitch 13.0 innings while surrendering only three earned runs.
The Blues bats were hot-and-cold this week but came alive at the opportune times for them to win. Catcher Jake Bold (Princeton) racked up four RBI this week thanks to a home run and has now recorded a hit in six straight contests. Outfielders Jason Hanson (Yuba Community College) and JT Rican (Oregon) each had high moments this week, with Hanson having a 3-for-4 performance in game 3 against the Barons and Rican recording doubles in consecutive games.
The Blues will have two games apiece against the Orange County Riptide and Saints before ending the week with one against the Barons.
#9 Sonoma Stompers (–)
League Record: 10-15
League Record This Week: 3-1
Overall Record: 19-17
Overall Record This Week: 3-1
The Stompers started this week by finishing off a seventh-consecutive game against the Healdsburg Prune Packers, which they lost, before getting back on track with a three-game sweep against the Solano Mudcats.
Sonoma’s offense got into a nice rhythm in the Solano series, totaling 25 runs over the three games. Outfielder Jag Burden (Cal) was already in rhythm, as he went 2-for-2 with a home run and two walks in the Packers’ loss. He tallied two more hits and a double to close the series against the Mudcats. Catcher Omar Gastelum (San Jose State) didn’t lose a step after playing in the CCL 30 Showcase Game, hitting two doubles and two RBI in game 3. That game was a team effort by Sonoma, as nine different Stompers registered a hit.
Sonoma needed some clutch pitching to hold off the Mudcat offense, and their staff did not disappoint. RHP Orlando Leon Jr. had a season-high in innings pitched (5.0) and a season-low in ER (0) in game 1 while also striking out three batters. RHP Hayden Hall (Monterey Peninsula) pitched a perfect 2.0 innings to close out Solano to secure the one-run win in game 3.
Next Week, Sonoma will try to carry their momentum from this week into a four-game series against the CCL affiliate Bay Area Admirals.
#10 Academy Barons (–)
League Record: 4-20
League Record This Week: 0-4
Overall Record: 4-20
Overall Record This Week: 0-4
The MLB Youth Academy Barons dropped two games to the Foresters and another pair to the Blues. The Barons’ record could’ve easily looked very different, with two of their losses being one-score games.
With a .342 season batting average, infielder Kamau Neighbors (Cal State Northridge) has been a catalyst all summer long, and Week 6 was no different for the rising senior. The CCL 30 Showcase Game selection accrued six knocks and three doubles while striking out just once in 16 at-bats. Outfielder Julian Boyd (Colorado Mesa) had a standout performance against the Foresters on Jul. 13, going 3-for-5 and scoring a run.
Another Baron who shined in Santa Barbara on Jul. 13 was right-handed pitcher Maximus Berber (Whittier College), who issued one walk and struck out three in 2.0 innings of relief. In the series finale against the Blues, starter Ruben Del Castillo put up a monster line, allowing just three baserunners and fanning ten in 6.0 scoreless frames.
The Barons will have ample opportunity to get back into the win column during Week 7, as they are slated for a four-game series against the Oaks before hosting the Blues for a double-header on Jul. 23.
#11 Solano Mudcats (–)
League Record: 4-21
League Record This Week: 0-4
Overall Record: 5-25
Overall Record This Week: 0-4
The Solano Mudcats continued their struggles this week as they fell to 4-21 on the season, losing all four league games this week. The Mudcats’ had a prime opportunity with a three-game set against the Stompers, but they fell short in three close games.
In the three games against the Stompers, infielder Jeff Hoffman (Willamette) had his best series so far this season, going 6-for-14 with a double in each of the three games. CCL Showcase Game participant Bronson Balholm (Arizona State) was on base all series, going 6-for-13 with two walks, raising his season OPS to .825.
On the mound, Jake Tandy continued his impressive two-way season as he performed well on both sides of the ball this week. At the plate, Tandy went 4-for-11, and, on the mound, he delivered 2.1 innings giving up one run and striking out three.
Next week, the Mudcats will look to get back on track with three-game series against the Crawdads and the Prune Packers.
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