With a glut of away games to close its regular season, California is getting used to life on the road. In a week where they had four games, the Pintos went 2-2, highlighted by a pair of wins at Columbia American Legion Park on Saturday afternoon.
In the first game of the day against Centralia, a three-hit, four-RBI performance from Hunter Heimericks was the driving force in California's 9-6 win. After a back-and-forth contest with the score tied at six after five innings, the Pintos scratched across three runs in the sixth inning to go ahead for good.
Jacob Wolken had two hits and an RBI in the win, and pitcher Cade Knipp struck out two in over four innings of work.
In the second game of the day, the Pintos offense once again delivered, hanging double digits on Father Tolton to pick up an 11-8 victory. After falling behind by five in the first inning, California battled back even by the fourth inning and then delivered a four-run seventh to seal the win.
Heimericks again led the way. The senior had four knocks and two RBI to cap off a fantastic Saturday showing. The Pintos also got big games out of Kory Stephens and Hayden Green, who had three hits and two RBI, respectively.
Southern Boone 4, California 2
The Pintos had a rough go of it against Eagles starter Connor Slattery last Thursday night. Slattery registered seven strikeouts and California tallied just one hit in the loss.
Battle 6, California 4
The second trip to Columbia in a three-day span was not as kind to the Pintos as the first visit. With the score tied at four heading into the sixth, Battle tacked on two runs in the inning to forge ahead for good. Jackson Trachsel led the California offense with a pair of hits in Monday's game.
What's Next?
California has three upcoming road games in the near future. On Friday, the Pintos head to Harrisburg before a pair of Tri-County battles early in the following week. On Monday, California faces Blair Oaks and Tuesday the team will take on Warsaw.