The offense once again was nonexistent as they managed a total of eight hits for the game. Andrew Guiterrez and Albert Garcia combined to reach base safely four of nine plate appearances, collecting two hits each. The rest of the team managed four hits off of 25 at bats.
“Guys aren’t coming through in the clutch. They are just not executing right now at all,” Hines said. He also added that he has no idea what type of team they are because he has concerns with a set batting lineup. “There is no consistency at all,” Hines said.
With all their offensive struggles the offense provided an early lead for Novelo, when they took advantage of some sloppy defense by the Vaqueros in the top of the third.
The Huskies went on to score two runs in the inning taking advantage of two throwing errors, one by shortstop Steven Reveless and the other by starting pitcher Connor Detko for a 2-0 ELAC lead.
Detko was effective in his six innings of work. He allowed three runs (one earned) off of six hits while fighting control problems that resulted in four walks.
With the Huskies leading 3-1, after both teams exchanged runs in the sixth inning, Hines decided to turn to the bullpen in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The decision backfired when the Vaqueros jumped all over the ELAC relieve pitchers scoring five runs and taking a 6-3 lead. Anthony Chavez (0-3) took the loss after relieving Novelo to start the seventh and being unable to record an out. Chavez faced three batters allowing all three to reach base before being relieved by Mathew Barela.
“I don’t second guess my decision to take out Novelo. It’s all about pitch count in these non-conference games. We build are pitchers for the beginning of conference play,” Hines said.
With the bases loaded Barela didn’t fare much better as he was quickly relieved by Robert Engels after only recording two outs. Barela allowed all three inherited runners to score plus two more runs. Engels will get the final out in the seventh inning and pitched a scoreless eighth inning, but the damage was too much for the weak hitting offense to overcome.
After going down quietly in the eighth inning against relief pitcher Stephen Magnuson the offense put a scare to the Vaqueros closer Noah Villegas. Villegas record his third save of the season, but not after the Huskies put a runner in scoring position. The Huskies attempt for a comeback was stopped when Justin De La Nuez was thrown out at the plate for the final out of the game.
With the loss the Huskies 4-5 overall, failed to move above .500.