CARY, N.C.- Dylan Lina (Carson, Calif.) led the Stripes to a 6-5 win over the Stars in Game 2 of the intrasquad series, as he went 3-for-4 with two RBIs including a one-out triple in the ninth inning.
"Dylan had an outstanding game today," said Stripes manger Eric Valenzuela, current St. Mary's College head coach. "It was nice to see him compete today after pitching three innings yesterday. I thought the game in general was fantastic. We played with more energy today and less nerves, which hopefully can carry over to Friday for the series victory."
An error to start the game helped the Stars jump out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first.
In the bottom half of the first inning, the Stars took an early 3-1 lead on RBIs from Anthony Martinez (Fairfield, Calif.) and Termarr Johnson (Atlanta, Ga.). Back to back singles from Justin Crawford (Torrance, Calif.) and Joseph Brown (Petaluma, Calif.) put traffic on the bases while a sacrifice fly from Johnson plated the first run. A ground out by Martinez brought Brown in for a 2-1 lead. Later in the inning, Demitri Diamant (Las Vegas, Nev.) stole home to put the Stars up after the first.
After a scoreless second from both teams, the Stripes added a run in the third inning. A triple down the left field line from Christopher Paciolla (Temecula, Calif.) got things started before Karson Bowen (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) grounded out to the second baseman to bring the home team within one.
Another run crossed the plate for the Stripes in the fourth frame to even the game. A lead-off walk followed by a stolen base from Ethan Watson (Newport Beach, Calif.) put himself in scoring position while an RBI single from Owen Egan (Yucaipa, Calif.) plated their third run.
The Stripes added two runs in the top of the fifth on four walks and a single by Lina to increase their lead to 5-3.
In the sixth inning, the Stars scored two making the score 5-5. Johnson stole home for the first run and a two-out single from Steven Milam (Las Cruces, N.M.) brought in Nathan Aguilar (Torrance, Calif.) to tie the game.
With one out in the top of the ninth, Lina hit a triple to center, scoring Jackson McKenzie (Fairhope, Ala.) for what would prove to be the game winning run.
Bowen earned the win, pitching three scoreless innings for the Stripes and striking out two. Cutter Coffey (Bakersfield, Calif.) put in three innings of work while sitting down four batters.
Kaden Martin (Redondo Beach, Calif.) was given the loss allowing one run on just two hits for the Stars.
The third and final game of the series will come on Friday, with the first pitch set for 2 p.m. (ET)
