South Gate 5, Sharks 4

Two Malibu errors in the top of the eighth inning gave the South Gate Rams a one-run lead that they held on to for a 5-4 victory over the Sharks in the second game of the Daily News-Victory Invitational today at MHS. After Juan Garcia led off the inning by grounding out, Kevin Martinez singled up the middle on a 1-2 pitch, taking advantage of a very questionable call on the 0-2 pitch. Alex Molina bunted to the right side of the mound and Malibu reliever Geoff Roth bobbled the ball as Molina ran safely to first. With runners on first and second, leadoff hitter Isaac Martinez grounded weakly to the third-base side of the mound. Roth fielded the ball and threw to Brett Weinstock for the force at second. Malibu appeared to have completed the double play on the relay to first, but Martinez was called safe. After Isaac Martinez stole second, Angel Gonzalez hit a ground ball to short that skidded under the glove of Jason Puklus. Kevin Martinez scored. Daniel Williams, who fielded the ball in center, threw a strike to Stephen Williams at the plate to get Isaac Martinez who was also trying to score on the play, but the damage had been done.

South Gate scratched together single runs in five of the eight innings, starting with the first when a leadoff single, a stolen base, a sacrifice bunt, and another single produced a run off of Malibu starter Jason Puklus. The Rams followed with single runs in the third, sixth, seventh, and eighth innings.

The Sharks scored three of their four runs in the fourth inning courtesy of two South Gate errors on one play. Brooks Fitch and Jamie Van Soelen led off the inning with singles. After Puklus struck out and Stephen Williams flied to deep center, Michael Gwyn singled to load the bases. With Colbie Bell at the plate, Fitch scored on a passed ball. An errant pickoff attempt at second base allowed Van Soelen to score from third. Gwyn also scored on the same play when the center fielder bobbled the ball.

Malibu's fourth run came in the fifth when Daniel Williams, who reached base in each of his four plate appearances, walked and was driven in on Roth’s double into the left-center gap.

Puklus pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up three earned runs on six hits and a walk. Roth, in relief, was tagged with the loss. He pitched 2 2/3 innings and gave up two runs (one unearned) on five hits.

Offensively, Williams and Roth had two hits apiece. Fitch, Van Soelen, Puklus, and Gwyn each had one hit.

Daily News-Victory Invitational Tournament action continues on Monday at 3:00 p.m. when the Sharks host the John Marshall Barristers.