SLO BLUES 5 v. SLO Rattlers 0
July 31, 2011, Sinsheimer Stadium, San Luis Obispo, CA
The San Luis Obispo Blues (34-15) ended their season with a dominant 5-0 win over their crosstown rival SLO Rattlers (23-2-2) and also were rewarded as co-champions of the California Collegiate League with Team Vegas' 6-4 win over the Santa Barbara Foresters. The Santa Barbara loss gives the Blues their first CCL title in organization history.
Starting pitcher Dylan Mendoza (3-1) ended his summer by winning his third game of the season. The Texas A&M junior pitched six spectacular shutout innings, allowing only two hits and one walk while striking out seven Rattlers. With those seven strikeouts and the five added by relievers Nick Grim (0-2) and Travis Huber (4-0) the Blues pitching staff passed 500 strikeouts for the season.
Leadoff second baseman Adam Frazier was exceptional at the plate for the Blues, ending his season with a 3-4 line in which he doubled twice with an RBI and run scored. Catcher Thomas Bernal also added to the Blues offensive output with his two RBI single in the sixth. Bernal ended the day 1-3 with three RBI's. Third baseman Chad Christensen reached base three times and stole two bases on his way to going 1-2 with a run scored.
Rattlers starting pitcher Jordan Goldsmith (3-2) got the loss besides a solid five-plus inning effort. Before running into trouble in the sixth, Goldsmith had only allowed two runs while striking out four. Goldsmith ends the season second in innings-pitched, wins, and ERA while leading the Rattlers in strikeouts, and batting average against. Goldsmith proved to be a standout contributor on offense as he also led the team in stolen bases while being in the top five in batting average, on base percentage, runs scored, hits, RBI's, walks, and total bases.
The Blues would like to thank all sponsors, workers, and volunteers for their time and effort that made this championship season possible. The Blues begin their title defense with next season's opener in June 2012.
