Dos Pueblos starting pitcher Luke Loggins on the mound on Tuesday.
Luke Loggins settled in after a spotty first inning on Tuesday, keeping the Dons at bay for the rest of the way as Dos Pueblos’ baseball team rallied for a 7-2 Channel League victory at Scott O’Leary Field.
Loggins gave up his only two runs in the first inning but finished with a complete-game for his eighth win of the season. Loggins allowed three hits to the Dons after the first inning and finished the game using just 79 pitches.
“He’s been Mr. consistent all year,” Dos Pueblos coach Nate Mendoza said. “We have nothing but confidence when he steps on the mound for us. We’re really happy he went all seven”
The Dons jumped on Loggins early, and Connor McManigal singled on the first at-bat of the game. Singles by Johnny Brontsema and Kees t’Sas later in the inning would score Santa Barbara’s only two runs.
After falling behind 2-0, Dos Pueblos’ bats responded immediately with two runs in the bottom half of the first inning. Joe Huthsing scored Nolan Soto on a ground-rule double, and Brett Patton brought Huthsing home with a hard-hit line-drive to center field.
“I felt it was really important because it kept us in the game and it kept everyone up and excited,” Anthony Spiritosanto said. “Then we pulled through and got the win.”
With the game tied, Loggins became comfortable on the mound and started retiring one Don after the other.
“The leadoff hitter had that hit is what rattled me a little bit, but I was able to settle down after that,” Loggins said.
In the fourth inning, Spiritosanto beat out a throw from Santa Barbara’s Kenny Crawford for an infield single, then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Daniel Vickers singled to put runners on the corners, and a fielding error by the Dons scored Spiritosanto and gave the Chargers a 3-2 lead.
Dos Pueblos' Anthony Spiritosanto beats out the throw from Santa Barbara's Kenny Crawford. Spritosanto would go on to score the go-ahead run.
The next inning, Dos Pueblos broke the game open. Spiritosanto came through with a double that scored two runners after the Chargers had already scored a run. He was then brought home by James Savage who singled to right field.
With a commanding 7-2 lead in hand, Loggins shut down the Dons for the remainder of the game.
“I’m a feel pitcher for sure. I have to get the feel for all my pitches,” Loggins said about his ability to get better as the game goes on.
Huthsing, Spiritosanto and Patton recorded multiple hit days for Dos Pueblos, which sits atop the Channel League standings tied with Buena at 6-2.
The Dons and Chargers will play each other again on Friday at Santa Barbara.
LINE SCORE:
DOS PUEBLOS 7, SANTA BARBARA 2
SB 200 000 0 – 2 6 1
DP 200 140 x – 7 9 1
SB – t’Sas, Smith (5), and St. John. DP – Loggins, and Huthsing.
2b: DP 2 (Sassola, Huthsing)
