San Marcos left-hander Will Proctor contained Santa Barbara’s high-scoring offense, but the Dons still were able to scratch out a couple of runs, and that was enough for Collin Dewell, who pitched a 2-0 win on Thursday at Eddie Mathews Field.
“Collin Dewell threw very well,” Santa Barbara assistant Mike Cooney said of the Arizona-bound senior.
He pitched a three-hitter, striking out five and allowing two walks. He also got a huge assist from third baseman Danny Zandona in the third inning when the game was scoreless.
San Marcos had runners at second and third with one out when Isaac Rodriguez a high-bouncer down the third-base line. Zandona leaped to glove the ball, checked the runner and fired to get the out on a bang-bang play at first.
“It was a key play,” said Cooney.
The next batter, Riley Moore, hit a change-up to second baseman Kenny Crawford for the third out.
It was another frustrating moment for the Royals, who fell to 2-13, 0-8 in Channel League.
Proctor pitched a solid game for San Marcos, keeping Dons hitters off balance with his off-speed deliveries.
“He threw an efficient 70 pitches, which is darn good,” said Cooney.
Proctor allowed only four hits to an offense that had been hitting for double figures in its last four games. He struck out three and walked one.
Santa Barbara, however, has the savvy to pull out close games. It broke the scoreless tie in the fourth. Dewell singled, went to second on a ground out and scored when the throw to get Lucas Benenati at first sailed over the first baseman’s head.
The Dons’ second run came in the fifth. Nick Below reached base on a bunt single, was sacrificed to second and went to third on a Cam Gniadek flyout to center. He scored on a ground ball hit to deep third base that Zandona beat out for a single.
Proctor and the Royals held Santa Barbara scoreless the rest of the way.
“They played great,” Cooney said. “From here on, we’ll root for them.”
Next up for Santa Barbara (16-4, 7-0) is a three-game showdown with Dos Pueblos, beginning Tuesday.
San Marcos …000 000 0 — 0 3 1
Santa Barbara…000 110 x — 2 4 1
Proctor and Moore; Dewell and Eaton. W—Dewell (5-2). L—Proctor.
2B—SM: Prince
Will Proctor pitched a great game. His off speed was awesome.
Good for you!!
Dave