SBL Bucs set to host Philippines National Team at LAVC Tuesday afternoon

Jack Bickerton swings at a pitch against the OC Legends at LA Valley College June 26, 2022. Photo by Maddy Whiting

Bucs Look to continue hot start to season

The first place SBL Bucs look to continue a great start to a 7-3 (7-2 league) season as they host the Philippines national team in an interleague game Tuesday afternoon. The Bucs are 4-2 thus far at LAVC this season and have won their last three home games. The Bucs have had winning streaks of 4 and 2 to start the season and have yet to lose consecutive games thus far to open the season.

Offense Carrying The Load

The Bucs offense has been on fire to start the season, hitting for a team average of .307, compiling 109 hits and 84 runs and drawing 60 walks in 10 games this season. The Bucs have scored 10 or more runs three times this season, and have scored at least 15 runs in a game twice. The Bucs scored 16 runs against the Cage Rats on June 11 and 15 runs against Field Rats on Jun 15 in two wins. The Bucs have also averaged a remarkable 8.4 runs per game so far this season. Offensive Leaders have been Kai Moran, Robert Pitts, and Rowan Teran, who are hitting .371, .500, and .385 respectively. Pitts and Moran have the only two home runs thus far of the season for the Bucs, and Moran leads the way with 13 RBI this year so far. Ten Bucs players currently have a batting average of .300 or better.

Pitching Question Marks

The pitching for the Bucs has been a bigger question mark this season, with lack of available pitchers hampering the ability of pitchers to perform consistently. Ian Nord has stood out as an ace so far this season, with a 2.65 ERA in 17 innings pitched and 13 strikeouts and a 1-1 record this year. Jakub Amado has also had solid outings, with a 4.24 ERA in 17 innings pitched and 14 strikeouts and a 1-1 record this year. The Pirates team ERA of 4.50 has been solid, but only 5 pitchers have pitched more than 4 innings thus far in 10 games.