A go-ahead run off an error and dominant pitching performance by Raiders pitcher Dylan Villalobos led to a 1-0 and third straight Freeway League loss for the Lancers.

Unlike for most of the game, the Lancers managed to get a few runners on base in the opening inning.
Though they got runners on base, a groundout from Juan Guerrero ended the top of the inning and left the Raiders unscathed.

Lancers pitcher Aaron Paek matched in terms of proficiency for a large portion of the game.

“I thought the pitching was really excellent today, pounded the outside corner kept the ball down,” said Sunny Hills manager Arlie Kearney

The Raiders (6-4, 2-1) loaded the bases early, but a force out at third to end the first inning kept the game scoreless.
Villalobos set the tone for the rest of his game by striking out three straight Lancers batters in the second inning.

“He’s our number one guy, you know, and when he’s on the mound we know we’re gonna get a quality inning,” said Sonora manager Patrick Tellers on the seniors performance, and later described the game as a “pitching duel.”
Both starting pitchers had effective performances, and defensive errors rather than offensive play made the difference between the two.

In the bottom of the third with two outs and two runners on base Paek tried to catch Villalobos, who was on second base, off his guard and pick him off.

The senior pitchers idea backfired when his throw to second went past his teammate and made its way into the outfield.
Both Raiders runners advanced and a few moments later Villalobos scored when third baseman Luis Garza mishandled a ground ball allowing the Raiders pitcher, who was well on his way to home base, to make it 1-0.

”There’s a lot plays to be, a lot of plays in a game that could of been made differently, but that one play kinda hurt,”Kearney said about the error.

The error facilitated run was the only one Sunny Hills (8-4, 0-3) allowed on the day but it was all the Raiders needed to win.

“When comes down to pitching [and] defense, you know, it’s all about who makes the first mistake,” Tellers said about the error.
After the Raiders score, Villalobos continued his strong performance by only allowing a hit for the rest of the game.

Offensively Sonora was kept from extending their slim lead by Sunny Hills pitching and defense
Paek overcame his error and pitched a solid fourth inning while Enoch Kim pitched two scoreless innings in relief of the senior.
Despite stable pitching,the Raiders would have doubled their lead if not for a big defensive play by the Lancers.

A home-plate tagout of pinch runner Trevor McCall in the bottom of the sixth inning kept the Lancers within one going into the final inning.

Like throughout the game, Lancer hitters could do little to disrupt Villalobos pitching form.
Kearney said the Lancers, “Struck out way too many times, did not put pressure
on their defense, weren’t able to run any of our offensive sets.”

Villalobos, who had eight strikeouts in the game, completed his shutout by retiring three straight Lancer batters to end the game.

“We need to get some offense going and our guys need to have a little bit better approaches at the plate,” Kearney said.
Sunny Hills will try to end their slump when they take on Rowland on Saturday, while Sonora Plays Valor Christian on Saturday.