Santa Paula Angels nipped by Ojai Dodgers 9-8

The Santa Paula Angels traveled to Ojai to face the 10-0 first place Dodgers recently.

Ojai put two runs on the board in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. Santa Paula fought back with 2 in the 2nd and 2 more in the 3rd inning. Ojai tied the game at 4 with 2 runs in the bottom half of the third, and took the lead heading to the last inning 7-5.

In the top of the 7th the Santa Paula team rallied when Matthew Lopez opened the inning with a single after Anthony Araiza walked, Peter Lopez singled in Matt Lopez to get the Angels within a run. Ramiro Avila then hit a deep sacrifice fly to score Araiza to tie the game. Zach Hamrick then hit a sharp grounder that the shortstop could not handle allowing Peter Lopez to score the go ahead run. But in the bottom of the 7th with two outs and the bases loaded Ojai’s Hersh doubled deep to center to win the game for Ojai.

Top hitters for Santa Paula were Anthony Araiza 2 for 3 with a double, Peter Lopez was 2 for 3, Ramiro Avila was 1 for 1 and Matthew Lopez went 1 for 3. Justin Gaeta, Araiza and Avila all pitched well for Santa Paula. The Angels now need just one win in their next 4 to qualify for the playoffs.