Julian Salmon’s RBI double in the top of the seventh inning put the icing on the cake in the win for the Apaches 

The Arcadia Apaches continue their undefeated streak in Pacific League play by defeating the John Burroughs Bears 3-1 on Friday. Julian Salmon’s RBI double in the top of the seventh gave the Apaches a much-needed insurance run to put the game away and to complete the sweep of the Bears. Arcadia won via mercy rule in game one over Burroughs, 10-0, in the series opener back on Tuesday. 

Both the Bears and Apaches were held scoreless in the first three innings by great pitching by Kyle Smith and Damian Cantano until Leo Peniche got the offense going for Arcadia in the top of the fourth inning with a leadoff double to left center field. Matt Manazo then recorded a single to put the runners on first and third with no outs. Tyler Brereton had an RBI chance with the runners on the corners, but his bat was not necessary in this inning as Peniche scored the first run of the game for the Apaches on a wild pitch by Kyle Smith. Brereton then struck out swinging, and Smith got out of trouble by striking out the next two batters as well to end the top of the fourth inning. 

Arcadia got on the board again at the top of the fifth inning with Tarik Reese grounding into a six-four-three double play with Salmon scoring to put Arcadia up 2-0 over Burroughs. The Bears finally got on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning after being held scoreless for the first five innings. Andrew Cosio jump-started the offense by recording a leadoff single. Devin Whittekind hit a clutch RBI double, which scored Cosio from first base to close the gap with Arcadiae. Jack Smith, Slater Mersola, and Zack Gueevara all failed to get the tying run in as they left the pinch runner Connor Cox stranded at second base. 

Kenny Montgomery came in relief of Kyle Smith in the top of the seventh inning with hopes of keeping it a one-run game. Smith struck out eight batters and allowed two runs in his six innings of work. Jake Rauenswinder made the play of the night in the top of the seventh inning as he robbed Aiden Soto of extra bases with a leaping catch in front of the center field wall. Damian Cantano followed Rauenswinder’s amazing catch with a one-out double in hopes of putting the game away. Salmon drove home Cantano to give Arcadia an insurance run and a 3-1 lead. 

The Bears had one more chance to deliver a miracle in the home half of the seventh inning.  Rauenswinder and Logan Drossin were the first two outs until Elliot Ross kept the game alive with a two-out single. Elvis Martinez came up to the plate as the potential tying run but struck out swinging to end the game. 

Arcadia improves to 22-2 overall and 12-0 in Pacific League play to remain in first place, three games ahead of the Crescenta Valley Falcons. Burroughs drops to 18-7 overall and 8-4 in league play and still sits in third place in the Pacific League. Both teams will return to action on Tuesday, April 29th, to begin their final regular-season series of the year. 

Burroughs will begin a two-game series with cross-town rival Burbank with the first game taking place at John Burroughs High School on Tuesday night and then again at Burbank High School on Friday Night. Arcadia will face the Crescenta Valley Falcons for a two-game series with the first game taking place at Arcadia High School on Tuesday Night and then again at Stengel Field on Friday Night. Arcadia could complete perfection in Pacific League Play and the League title if they sweep the two games with the Falcons.