Club Finishes Week 4-1 in Pecos League

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - The Marysville Drakes kept pace atop the Pacific Division standings in the Pecos League as they recorded a 4-1 record throughout the week that included wins over San Rafael, Dublin and Martinez.

After a little over a quarter of the season was completed on Saturday, June 10, Marysville was in third place with a 9-4 record. The Drakes played five of the seven other teams in the Pacific Division before they hosted Lancaster this past Tuesday and Wednesday.

Marysville manager Bill Rogan expressed to Messenger Publishing Group that the consistency his team has shown up ready to work day in and day out pregame to the Drakes 15-2 win over the Dublin Leprechauns on June 8.

He added that adding wins to the bank are key because you never know when a slump could come along for the Drakes throughout the season.

The early season success Marysville has had can be attributed from having the second-best run production in the Pacific Division through the conclusion of competition on June 10.

The Drakes averaged 11.38 runs during the 13-game span. Marysville outfielder Lyndon Weaver was tied for the league lead with 21 runs-batted-in (RBI) and infielder Erik Mitchell was second in the league with 20 RBIs. Weaver had the highest hitting score (95) according to the Pecos League statistical department, which had a huge margin with the next closest competition.

On top of the phenomenal hitting numbers, the Drakes pitching staff has been one of the best throughout the league as Michael Vochelli (41) and Rodrigo Sanchez (35) had two of the three best pitching scores in the Pecos League and the second best earned run average (ERA) as a team (5.13) in the Pacific Division on June 10.

Marysville infielder Evan Blum expressed to MPG they have come into every game and taken the simple approach to the game every day whether it’s in the box or playing defense.

“It’s all about trusting the preparation you’ve done before and not trying to do anything excessive with it,” Blum said.

Blum went 3-for-4 with four RBIs in the win over Dublin. Drakes fans were treated to two long balls from local players and infielders Earl Johnson Jr. (Oroville) and Erik Mitchell (Live Oak).

Johnson belted a two-run shot into left field in the first inning for his first home run of the season. Mitchell blasted a three-run home run in the fifth that cleared the net and the top of the foul pole that landed like a crater onto B St. It was Mitchell’s second home run of the season.

Sanchez picked up his third win of the year along with his second quality start in a row as he threw six innings, three hits and struck out six Leprechauns.

The chemistry this team shares with one another on the field of play and in the dugout is clear as day. Blum added that everyone likes one another and gets along great on and off the field.

Blum added that they are not afraid of anyone in the league, and it showed on June 6 when they went on the road and beat the San Rafael Pacifics, who were 2022 Pacific Division champions.

Blum told MPG the Drakes are a lot of scrappy ball players and they’re going to compete the hardest they can every day.