ROYALS TAKE SERIES AGAINST SPIRIT 3-1

Recap, photo courtesy of HIU

Fullerton, CA - Hope International finished their series against OUAZ Spirit on Saturday March 9th, 2019 at Duane Winters Field. They swept the Spirit on Friday winning game one 22-7 and game two 4-2. Guillermo Sanchez (SR/Santa Ana, CA) started things off for the Royals on the mound.

Ottawa struck first in the first inning scoring off an RBI single to right field. The Royals answered back in the second with an RBI single from Sam Cohen (SR). The third inning was scoreless and the Spirit made a move in the fourth scoring two runs putting themselves up 1-3. The fifth was scoreless as the Royals fought for an edge. In the sixth William Aguilar (JR) had an RBI single bringing in a run for the Royals making it 2-3. In the eighth the Royals scored two on a centerfielder error, putting them up one run 4-3. It was 4-3 when the Spirit hit a three run home run to put themselves up 4-6. In the ninth, Mutter scored on a fielders choice and Nolan Kraemer (JR/Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) was able to steal home on a wild pitch to tie the game 6-6 and force a tenth inning.  The tenth was scoreless but the Spirit took the game in the top of the eleventh scoring three runs and holding the Royals to win the game 9-6.

After Sanchez pitched a full eight innings Hunter Cooper (FR/Anaheim, CA) came in for a couple at bats, followed by Erikson Fish (SR/Sitka, AK) for an inning and a half and Val Flores (JR/Cerritos CC) finished game one for the Royals.

The second game began shortly after the first and with the Royals eager to take the series after dropping day 2 game 1.  Dominic Potlongo (SR/Placentia, CA) took the mound for the Royals in the second game of the series for five innings followed by Seth Hoetker (SO), Eddie Fournier (JR) and Kevin Santana (FR). It was scoreless until the fourth when OUAZ scored on an error. The Royals weren't eager to lose to the Spirit again and Daniel Hawkins (SR) answered back with a homer to tie the game 1-1. Juan Gonzalez (JR) followed up with a two RBI single bringing the score to 3-1. John James Battaglia had another two RBI double making it 5-1. Willie Aguilar singled to bring Battaglia in to make it 6-1. Zack Weiss later walked to bring in pinch runner Nate Crawford followed by Sam Cohen with a two RBI single for a nine run fourth inning to bring the Royals to the lead 9-1. Will Davis (JR/Anaheim, CA) doubled in the fifth to bring another run in making it 10-1. Gianni Castillo (SR/Seal Beach, CA) brought another two runs in in the sixth for an 12-1 lead. OUAZ mounted a comeback in the seventh, scoring three runs but not making much of a dent in the Royals 12 runs. The Royals took game two 12-4, and the series 3-1.  Daniel Hawkins stood out going 3-3 at the plate and earning two runs for the Royals.

On the win head coach Erich Pfohl said " The team played well, we did enough to win a series. We have a lot of things to work on and areas to improve, but each week seems to show signs of growth. I hope we can continue to build on what we've done well and learn from where we failed." The Royals return to Duane Winter Fields to host Hawaii-Hilo at 2pm on Thursday March 14th.