Royals Stay Hot, Take 2 From Rough Riders

 

On a warm March day at Verdugo Hills HS, the Royals kept up their hot play by sweeping the Rough Riders 20-0 and 10-3 in a doubleheader.  Every player put up positive MVP stats, and the pitching staff showed their depth, even while missing 3 arms and allowing a few guys to heal up (with an off week next weekend.)

 

Game 1 was the Kyle Tanaka show on the mound.  Tanaka threw a complete game shutout, allowing only 5 hits while striking out 5.  On offense, all 13 Royals scored a run.  Eric Addis led the team with 3 hits, while Mike Miller, Daniel Gutierrez, Jake Romo and Tanaka all had 2 hits.  Gutierrez and Michael Citro both notched their first home runs of the season during an 8-run 3rd inning, and Andrew Miller launched a 2-run triple to right for his first hit of the season!  Gutierrez led the team with 5 rbis, while 7 Royals scored multiple times!  Addis, Mike Miller and Nick Perez each swiped a bag.

 

Game 2 was much more competitive, as the Rough Riders scored early and put some pressure on the Royals.  Andrew Miller took the start and worked 2 solid innings, allowing a pair of runs.  The bullpen was incredible, with Jake Romo (3 innings, 1 unearned run), Ray Estrada (3 innings, no runs while making his PCBL debut) and Eric Addis (1 inning, no runs) finishing the game.  The offense was led by first-year Royal Nick Ocepek, who got his first two hits as a Royal (notably, this was Nick's first multi-hit game in the PCBL!!!)  Oliver Lopez and Mike Miller both had 2 hits as well.  Ocepek and Eric Addis each had 2 rbis, while Gabe Sgambati, Jake Romo and Estrada each scored 2 runs.  Sgambati swiped a pair of bases, while 6 other Royals swiped a bag in the victory!

 

Next week, the Royals get a much-needed week off to recover and eat Easter candy.  Following that, they rematch against the Doinks and Dingers, at a time and location to be determined.

 

#goRoyals