By Ryan Nakamura
Staff Writer
Photos by Stephanie Kim
South Pasadena and La Cañada were neck and neck during their game on Tursday, March 26, but it was the Tigers who claimed the 9-8 win after a three hour battle.
The Spartan drew first blood in the game with a single run in the first. However, South Pasadena responded quickly with seniors Andrew Shults, Matthew Park and Hermes Ip, and junior Brandon Louie reaching home, placing the team at a 4-1 lead. The Spartans spent the first half of the game playing catch up after the Tigers extended their lead to six runs, leaving La Cañada with only three at the bottom of the fourth.
Although South Pasadena had the lead, the Spartans were able to climb back with a three run play in the fifth after a decisive line drive to right field. The Tigers countered back with three runs in the bottom of the fifth with Park hitting two RBIs of his own and reaching home on a wild pitch.
La Cañada was still determined to stay in the game and answered back with two runs of their own while holding the Tigers at bay on defense. Still, the Tigers proved too overwhelming and dug deep the seventh to finish the day 9-8.
“We played solid defense today and overall there was great performance from all of our pitchers today,” senior Brandon Aguirre said.
The team is scheduled for a double header two game on Saturday, March 28 at home against Pasadena High School at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
“Every inning we were pretending that we were down by one run with an inning left so I guess when you’re that intense then you’re whole team plays better,” Park stated. “I feel like this game is going to get the ball rolling for us since it’s our first win so that’s always a good thing.”
Stats by Nicholas Baer
Shults: 3 for; 2 runs; 2 stolen bases
Park: 1 for 2; 2 RBIs
Ip: 2 for 3; 1 RBI
Renken: 2 for 3
