The top of Dos Pueblos’ batting order was nearly unstoppable in Tuesday’s 6-0 shutout of Ventura.
The No. 1 through No. 5 hitters combined for 12 of DP’s 16 hits and scored five runs. Leadoff batter Ben York reached base four times and scored three runs. Dustin Demeter was 2-for-3 in the two-hole, followed by Gabe Speier and Nolan Soto, who both went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Dylan Rohde batted fifth and finished 3-for-4 with two runs. The group was 12-for-19, an average of .632.
Catcher Luke Coffey kept the offensive wheel turning from seventh in the order with another 3-for-4 day and a pair of RBI.
Speier earned the win on the mound for throwing five innings. Speier struck out eight and allowed five hits. Drake Gilliland took over in the sixth and Erik Olson pitched the seventh.
“We executed in all aspects of the game today,” said Chargers head coach Nick Katzenstein.
Ventura’s Andrew Shaffer and Keaton Garibaldi were 2-for-3 to lead the Cougar bats.
The win keeps Dos Pueblos (8-1) a game ahead of Santa Barbara (7-2) in the Channel League standings. Ventura, at 3-8, is still fighting for a playoff spot although Tuesday’s loss is a big blow to those prospects. Buena, who plays San Marcos twice next week, is in third place with a 4-6 record.
Friday’s game with Dos Pueblos is Ventura’s final league game of the season. First pitch is at 3:15.
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DP 100 121 1 – 6 16 0
V 000 000 0 – 0 7 0
