Defending champion Dos Pueblos got on the right track Tuesday by picking up its first Channel League win, a 6-4 victory at Ventura.
Corey Micheel got the Chargers’ first hit — a triple — in the third inning and Steven Reveles hit a 3-run homer to break a 3-3 tie in the fourth.
Sophomore Joe Huthsing got the start and pitched four solid innings on the mound, allowing just three hits and two earned runs while striking out five. He was followed by lefties Porfi Avila and Gabe Speier. Ventura scored a run in each of the first three inning but put up zeroes until adding one more in the seventh.
Reveles also made an outstanding backhand play at shortstop, according to coach Nate Mendoza.
The Chargers (8-8, 1-3) started league play last year at 1-2 before rallying back to take the title, and Mendoza is trying to tir up something similar this year.
“The kids know they’re in somewhat of a do-or-die situation right now and they responded today. Thankfully we have a home game on Friday, because this was our 10th straight road game,” he said.
First pitch for Friday’s rematch is set for 3:15 p.m.
DOS PUEBLOS 6, VENTURA 4
Dos Pueblos…002 400 0 — 6 7 1
Ventura…111 000 1 — 4 5 1
Huthsing, Avila (5), Speier and Salas. Rothwang and Castro. WP — Huthsing (4-3)
3B — DP: Micheel. HR — DP: Reveles (4th inn, two on).
