Valencia hosted the Pacific Leading Portland Lumberjacks this past week and come out with a sweep in the three-game series. Portland came to Valencia with a record of 25-11 while the Stars came in at 16-20.
In the series opener, the Stars came out on top by a score of 6-4. The Lumberjacks led 4 to 1 after the top of the second inning thanks to a a three-run shot over the right field fence. After that, however, it was all Valencia.
In the bottom of the second inning, the Stars put together four singles with Jesus Romero and Julio Sanchez each getting an RBI in the process.
Valencia scored again in the third inning on a RBI single by Bernd Helwich and in the fifth on an Ed Bush homer. Valencia closed out the scoring in the sixth inning on a RBI double by Santiago Dieguez.
On the mound, Angelo Rodriguez went 5 innings allowing 4 runs with 9 people getting on base but he still salvaged a win to go 2-1. Alphonse Lease, Cade Miller and Dave Furman combined to pitch 4 shutout innings with Furman getting his 10th save of the season.
In game 2, the Stars found themselves behind again trailing 2 to 1 going into the seventh inning stretch. A run-scoring triple by Bill Nesbitt and two-run homer by Julio Sanchez did the damage as three Stars crossed the plate for a final score of 4 to 2.
Nasir al din bin Sahir and his 37 year-old arm went 5 innings allowing 2 runs in a no decision. Rookie Steve Wauchope (5-1) picked up the win by pitching three shutout innings and Dave Furman picked up his 11th save.
In the series finale, Valencia overcame their third deficit in as many games. Trailing 3 to 1 in the bottom of the third, the Stars scored 4 times thanks to a solo shot by Santiago Dieguez and run scoring singles by Bernd Helwich, Jorge Garcia and Jesus Romero.
Gabriel Bacaloglu added another run in the fourth inning with an RBI single and Jesus Romero drove in yet another run in the fifth.
The Stars added an insurance run in the seventh when Santiago Dieguez drove in Jesus Romero for the final run.
Sam MacPherson (3-3) gained the win by going 6.1 innings and giving up 4 runs on 8 hits while Dave Furman notched his third save in as many days by getting the final out in the 9th.
The sweep gives the Valencia Stars a 19-20 record on the season in spite of being without three of their five opening day starters. Whether or not this trend can continue, the Valencia faithful can only hope.
