HESPERIA – Two very different outcomes saw Hart and Hesperia baseball split a doubleheader Tuesday, April 22.
The first game of the night featured strong pitching performances for both sides. Hart claimed a 3-0 victory in that one, getting just enough offense to make a difference.
Starting on the mound for the Pirates was Avery Guikema, who through six innings allowed just two hits while striking out 10. Aiden Cull was called on in relief, closing the game’s final inning out with one hit allowed and one strikeout to earn the save.
For Hesperia, it was Noah Walker who manned the bump to start. Walker tossed three innings with just one earned run on no hits and two strikeouts. Ethan O’Neil and Weston Hasted each pitched two innings in relief, combining for just one hit allowed and four strikeouts.
Hart’s only hit of the game came from Logan Jorrisen who went 1-for-2. Aiden Coker and Guikema were each credited with a run batted in (RBI).
Walker and Hasted both went 1-for-3 at the plate to record the Panthers’ only hits.
Game two leaned heavily in favor of Hesperia, as aggressive bats and steady pitching pushed the Panthers to a 14-4 win.
Hesperia got on top early, as Blake Sayer doubled to left field, driving in a run. The Panthers recorded two more runs in the top of the first and another in the second to own a 4-0 lead. Hart put the pressure on in the bottom of the third, cutting the deficit to just one run.
The Panthers took advantage of a pitching change in the fourth inning, scoring four runs off the arm of Coker. Cull entered for Hart in the sixth inning, but it didn’t change the outcome. Hesperia rattled off another four runs in that frame to distance themselves for good.
Ty Schlukebir was given the loss for Hart, throwing two and one-third innings, allowing three earned runs on three hits and striking out five. Coker lasted just one and one-third innings, with one earned run on one hit and one strikeout. Cull finished the game out with three and one-third innings of work, allowing six hits, five earned runs and striking out six.
Blake Sayer pitched a complete game for Hesperia, tossing seven strikeouts through seven innings while allowing seven hits but just one earned run.
The Panthers were led at the plate by Sayer and Ian Fox, who each went 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Hasted recorded two hits for the Panthers, leading the way with three RBIs.
Hesperia moved to 2-6 overall (2-4 WMC Rivers) with the split decision while Hart now sits at 5-4 overall (1-4 WMC Rivers).
