The starting pitcher for the Highlanders, Eddie Orozco, allowed nine hits until he was pulled in the seventh inning. Orozco yielded four walks, gave up eight hits, including a homer in the fifth, and two strikeouts. For the Zepton’s, Ahuja Zimburg went all nine innings as he allowed 19 hits, three walks and two strikeouts
Riverside as a group played well together as they scraped together 19 hits. Three homers by the Highlanders sparked their comeback, which two of them came by David Andriese and the other by Kyle Boudreau.
Riverside’s Devon Bolasky started off the first inning with a double drilled down the left field line. He was later moved by a wild pitch and scored on a single by Clayton Prestridge. Riverside was able to push their lead 6-4 after five innings before they went on a two inning drought.
The Martians scored three runs each in the top of the seventh and eighth inning to give them a 10-8 lead against the Highlanders. Bottom of the eight UCR used two doubles, two home runs and two singles to score three to put them within one of the Zeptons 9-10.
Bolasky singled up the middle to put the first runner on for the Highlanders. Bolasky stole second base after two pitches and was later scored by a home run by Andriese. Cody Hough than doubled to left field and advanced to third base on a single by Bart Steponovich.
UC Riverside came to their final inning down 9-11 with the bottom of their order due. Donovan Gonzales singled down left field line and Chase Puente moved Gonzales to third base with a double down the right field line. Devon Bolasky then doubled to center right field for a two RBI’s. Bolasky advanced to third base on a pass ball and later scored on a fielder’s choice as he tied the game. Boudreau then came up to the plate and drilled a hanging curve to deep center for the walk-off home run.
Martian pitcher Zimburg was asked how he felt pitching the whole game for the first time on Earth, “I felt the ball go lower then usual. Back at home, the ball usually floats up a bit and slows down.”
Zepton Coach Soran Odwa was asked about his thoughts at the end of the game. “I thought that we were hitting the ball great and seeing the ball good. I believed that we played amazing, considering the players had to deal with the space travel, and 91 traffic. I would also like to thank the Highlanders for their hospitality.”
The Highlanders won in fashion but look forward and keep focus when they face their next opponent, the Gingrich Moon Colony, this upcoming Thursday.
