Pat Cavalier and Nick Stathopoulos connected for damaging blows on Tuesday in a Channel League matchup at Buena, combining to knock in five runs for the San Marcos baseball team in a 10-4 victory.
With the score tied 2-2, Victor Acevedo singled in Landon Boneck to put the Royals up one in the top of the fifth. Several batters later, Cavalier cleared the bases with a three-run double. Stathopoulos followed with a two-run home run to make it 8-2.
Sophomore catcher Riley Moore completed the scoring in the seventh with a two-run single, capping a 2-for-3 day that came with 4 RBIs. Boneck also went 2-for-3 while scoring three runs with two stolen bases.
In a scary moment, Cavalier left the playing field in the bottom half of the fifth after a line drive struck him in the face on the pitcher’s mound. Cavalier stayed on his feet but was visibly shaken by the ordeal. While the senior did not return, head coach Rob Crawford said he should be available in the Royals’ next contest, another at Buena on Friday.
The victory, coupled with Dos Pueblos’ 2-0 win over Ventura, moves San Marcos into a first-place tie with the Chargers at 3-2. The Royals are now 12-8 overall.
SAN MARCOS 10, BUENA 4
San Marcos 101 060 2 – 10 11 1
Buena 200 020 0 – 4 6 1
SM – Cavalier, Leiland (5), Stathopoulos, and Moore. WP – Cavalier 4-0). 2B – Cavalier. 3B – Boneck. HR Stathopoulos (5th inning, one on).
