By Milad Ghaemi

San Diego, Calif.

The San Diego Force split a conference double header on Saturday, losing the first game to the SCCBL Inland Valley Bucs 2-3 and bouncing back to win the second game 1-0. Justin Coleman (Cleveland State) was on the hill in game 1 for the Force throwing a quality 5 2/3 giving up 3 runs, Jacob Thigpen (Rockhurst) and Wyatt Shackleford (Point Loma Nazarene) combined for 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. The Force would have 6 different players each get a hit, but the failure to drive in runners in scoring position was the achilles heel for the Force in Game 1. 

The Pitching was the highlight of both games and in Game 1 the Force would combine for 11 K's and only 2 walks. DH Aaron Barkley (Mississippi Valley) lead the Force with 2 Walks. C Trevor Johnson would hit a single that got by the LF scoring SS Drake Pierson (Angelina). 2B Greg Bennett (Iowa Western) would then drive in 3B Josh Sidley to keep his high standing in the SCCBL for RBI's. 

In Game 2 Pitching dominated the narrative with only 1 run scoring between both teams. The Force would win a tight game lead by SP Eric Telarroja (Bellevue University) who hurled six scoreless innings giving up four hits but getting 4 K's. Telarroja showed great composure working out of many jams to keep the Bucs scoreless in Game 2. Telarroja had his best start of the season against the Bucs and lowered his ERA to 2.45. Mark Lemus (Robert Morris) would throw 2 no-hit innings in relief to hold the lead as Wyatt Shackleford returned to throw a perfect 9th inning closing the game for the Force. 

The Force's lone run would be scored by Jordan Wilkerson (Fort Hays) on a Wild Pitch to James Shimashita (San Jose State Commit). Shimashita came in later in the game to play in the Outfield but was stingy at the plate going 0-1 with 2 walks in his 3 plate apperances. Shimashita has a stellar On Base Percentage of .647 early on in his season. 

The 2nd place Force play a crucial Double Header for 1st place in the SCCBL against the 1st place Palm Springs Power. SP and Ace Frank Lopez and RHP Ryan Losman will be the two starters for the Force in the Double Header on Sunday.