Streaking Sabers

VICTORVILLE, CA — Winners of seven straight, the Diamond Valley Sabers know that every game from here on out is important. Whether they are at home or on the road, the Sabers have a feeling that they simply can’t lose.

Coming off an impressive 15-1 victory Friday night over the High Desert Heat, the Sabers were able to sweep Saturday’s doubleheader against the struggling Heat at Victor Valley College.

The wins not only pushed the Sabers win streak to nine straight, but it also improved their record to 15-7 overall and 9-3 in the SCCBL.

More importantly for the Sabers, they kept pace with the Palm Springs Power (21-5, 12-4) as they have a firm grip on second place.

Saturday’s action saw the Sabers come from behind to upend a Heat (1-11) squad that has struggled since the start of the season.

Leading 3-1 in the top of the fourth inning, the Heat’s starting pitcher, Michael Pamaran got into some trouble. After retiring the Sabers David Castillo, Eric Craft and Seth Wolsten hit back-to-back singles to put runners at the corners with one out. Pamaran was able to strikeout Steven Ball, but Billy Logan’s double into the right centerfield gap tied the game at 3-3.

The Heat regained the lead momentarily in the bottom of the fourth inning as Ken McMurray executed a suicide squeeze bunt to bring home Billy Epp.

That was the last time the Heat were in control as the Sabers continued to apply the pressure.

The Sabers did most of their damage with two outs and it happened again in the seventh and eighth innings.

After Ball and Logan were sat down, Kayden Glass doubled deep to the centerfield wall, before Joe Szczepanski came up to bat. Szczpenaski singled into center to tie the game at 4.

Things when from bad to worse for Pamaran as he gave up a three runs and two hits (Castillo, Wolsten) to a Sabers team that was finally able to break the game wide open. Glass tacked on an insurance run in the ninth and the Heat were never able to recover.

Coming off of a rough 15-1 loss the previous night, the Heat know that Saturday’s 8-7 defeat hurts just as bad for them in terms of the league standings.

-David Gascon

Tags: Billy Epp, Billy Logan, David Castillo, Diamond Valley Sabers, High Desert Heat, Joseph Szczepanski, Kayden Glass, Ken McMurray, Michael Pamaran, Seth Wolsten, Steven Ball