Ryan Hart

The San Diego Force hosted a double header today at Madison, welcoming the Orange County Surf, an independent college travel team. Game 1 was tight and the Force fell down early when starting pitcher Eric Telarroja served up a 3-run home run to 2B Austin Schell of the Surf in the top of the 3^rd inning. The Force answered back quickly in the bottom half of the frame on a Drake Pierson sac fly to center to make the score 4-2. The Force continued to chip away in the 4^th when a hit and run put runners at 2^nd and 3^rd. A fielders choice double play scored a run to pull the Force to within striking distance, and that strike came in the 7^th when Ryan Williams knocked in Trey Martin to tie the game. Later that same inning a Drake Pierson RBI single made it 5-4. The Force pitching was good enough to hold, thanks to the lights out performance by James Shimashita who left the bases loaded in the 8^th inning and struck out all 3 Surf players he faced.

Game 2 was all Force, lead by Brent McDonald who completely shut down the OC Surf. McDonald went 5 innings, while surrendering just 1 hit, and striking out 4. All the offense he needed would be scored in the 3^rd inning by 1B Phillip Steering, an Aaron Barkley sac fly, and a bases loaded RBI walk by James Shimashita. The Force got some great help on defense in the 6^th when CF Baker Springston laid out for a diving grab while also colliding with his teammate. The Force were in control from the 1^st inning onward, and held on for a final score of 4-1.