Packers wait for right time for sweep

On Friday night against the Barona Stars of San Diego, the Santa Maria Valley Packers scored most of their runs late in an 8-1 win. They did the same thing on Saturday in both games of an afternoon doubleheader at John Osborne Field.

With temperatures in the 100s, the Packers got hot late, scoring five runs in their last two at bats in game one for a come-from-behind 8-6 victory. In game two, Santa Maria Valley scored two in the sixth and two in the eighth as four Packers pitchers scattered 11 Stars hits in a 4-0 win.

“We seem to be a late inning team,” smiled Packers head coach Scott Nickason. “In the second game their pitcher was pretty good and it was tough to see the ball out of his hand.

“But we battled, had our opportunities and early we just didn't quite do it.”

The slow start could also have been attributed to the heat factor as well as the amount of innings the team has played lately.

“Five games in three days is a lot,” Nickason said. “And of course the weather. But we battle and we never get frustrated.”

Outfielder James Roland continued his extra base run of late with a double in game one and a triple in the second.

He also walked twice in the first game and scored both times.

In all, four of the Packers runs reached base on walks. In the third inning, trailing 3-0, Brian Jett cleared the bases with a double. Pascual Del Real singled before Roland and Brady Shoemaker both walked.

The Stars re-took the lead in the fifth. Chance Miles doubled, was sacrificed to third, then scored on a sac fly by Brandon Peters. Robby Scott hit a single to right and went all the way to third on an error. Pitcher Peter Beringhaus - who started the inning - stranded him at third on a ground out.

Beringhaus held the Stars scoreless in the sixth and the seventh aided by a 4-6-3 double play in each inning.

In the seventh, Stars starter Pete Malloy walked the first two batters, Roland and Shoemaker. Jett bunted to move the runners over, but placed the ball well enough to beat the throw to first, loading the bases.

One out later, pinch hitter Kevin Sandberg singled home Roland. Another pinch hitter, Jeff Farnham then singled home two runs - making the score 6-4 Packers.

Barona answered right back in the eighth to tie the score. A single, walk, sacrifice bunt and a two run single by Joe Inzone evened the score against reliever Brian Oliver.

But the Packers put Oliver in the lead with two more in the bottom of the inning. Roland led off with a double and scored on a single by Shoemaker. Jett doubled with Shoemaker stopping at third.

With one out, PJ Ortega hit a sacrifice fly that scored Shoemaker.

Oliver pitched a scoreless ninth for the win.

In game two Stars pitcher Pete Malloy held the Packers to just two hits through the first five innings, before they broke through.

Sandberg walked and went to second on a single by Jett. One out later Danny McCarthy singled to load the bases. Blaine Wilson singled home Sandberg and Jett.

In the eighth, the Packers scored two insurance runs. McCarthy walked, moved to second on a groundout. One out later Dearth Parker walked. Wes Schneider singled home McCarthy.

On a double steal, the catcher's throw went into center field when no one covered second, allowing Parker to score.

Santa Maria Valley's pitcher frustrated the Barona coaches by surrendering 11 hits, but not allowing one base runner to score. The Stars left 11 runners on base, stranding someone in every inning but the eighth.

Brand new pitcher Danny Mora - in his first action -picked up the win, pitching the fourth through sixth innings, allowing three hits.

“Josh Miller left because he had to take summer school and we needed a replacement,” Nickason explained. “He (Mora) came from Fresno City, is a sophomore and we got him through Brian Oliver.

“We like what we saw and I think he's a great addition. He got the win, threw well and he will work with Smitty.”

The Packers and Stars will wrap up their four game series with a 1 p.m. game this afternoon at John Osborne Field. Arroyo Grande High and Hancock grad Mickey Jannis will get the start for the Packers.

June 22, 2008