Santa Barbara lost a pitchers’ duel Saturday against Newbury Park, 2-1.
Dons starter Liam Keithley went 5 2/3 innings, giving up only 3 hits.
“Liam really pitched well and was a bulldog on the hill,” Santa Barbara coach Steve Schuck said. “He was around the zone and kept the ball down. He did a good job off keeping the hitters off balance. He brought a no-hitter into the fifth inning.”
The Dons defense again stepped up with another errorless game. The infield was 12 for 12 on ground balls.
Zane Lee-Paulick, Kai Mault, Dane Dawson and Matthew Crolius all had base hits for Santa Barbara, and Dawson and Mault each had a stolen base.
“What you don’t see in the box score is how we competed every at-bat,” Schuck said. “We faced some high velo in the first three innings and we did not back down. This is what we have been preaching and today it showed up.
“They did not give away pitches or at-bats. This was a very well-played ballgame and they are starting to believe in themselves like the coaches believe in them. They learned a lot about themselves today and are excited for Tuesday.”