The day after two difficult losses in a doubleheader against the Power, the Pirates met the Bucs at Mt. SAC in a game that would decide their playoff hopes.
A loss would almost certainly knock them out of the playoffs, but a win would give them a solid chance. Even with a win, the Pirates still needed the Legends to lose one of their last two games.
The Pirates didn’t know it at the time, but the Legends would actually go on to lose their last two games.
The Pirates looked re-energized even after the long and draining day at UCR.
It was starting pitcher Landon Martin who set the tone and attitude. Martin came into the game, having not given up a run all season, and he continued his scoreless streak throughout this start.
Martin did allow a run in the second, but it was unearned. Even though the run was unearned, Martin looked more motivated than ever. The Cal State Fullerton pitcher threw an incredible seven innings, not allowing an earned run, and striking out 12 along the way.
The outing was the most dominant pitching display all season, and it was exactly what the Pirates needed.
Tre Minisee relieved Martin in the ninth and pitched two scoreless frames of his own, including a perfect ninth inning to earn the save.
On the other side of things, the Pirates’ offense did not get a lot of momentum going, but they didn’t really need to as the pitching was so good.
The Pirates only scored two runs in the game, though they did rack up ten hits.
The first run came in the fourth as the Pirates loaded the bases with no outs for outfielder Vaughn Coleman. Coleman hit a deep Sacrifice Fly to tie the game, but the Bucs limited the damage by getting two quick outs after.
The winning run came in the seventh on a Dominic Garcia single to left that brought in Darin Osterloh.
Though the Pirates only scored two runs, outfielders Mason Greenhouse and Hunter Meyer had impressive days, getting two hits each.
The game was one of the quickest of the year, flying by in just two hours and five minutes due to the great pitching on both sides.
The Bucs finish last among the Inland Valley’s teams, and the Pirates will play a two-game series this weekend against the Palm Springs Power.
Inland Valley Baseball Association 