The Healdsburg Prune Packers had an eventful week, showcasing their strength and resilience across multiple games. Here’s a detailed recap of their performances from June 11 to June 16.
The Packers faced the West Coast Kings Gold team on June 11, securing a commanding win with a score of 9-0. The Kings Gold, based out of Fairfield, proved no match for Healdsburg’s team on their home field.
The Pack’s four pitchers combined their efforts for a one-hit shutout, with starter Cole Kaase getting the win. Cole Caruso walked three times and scored twice, Max Debiec drove in three runs and the whole lineup demonstrated a balanced attack.
Reflecting on the game afterward, Max Shupe, assistant coach for the Pack, said, “We had a good feel going into today’s game. We’ve been playing well—our pitchers have been doing phenomenal, our infielders have been playing great.”
The next day, Wednesday, June 12, the Prune Packers took on the CA Red Tails, again coming out on top by a comfortable 7-1 margin. The game was a testament to their defensive prowess and strategic play, with the final score reflecting their dominance. Lead-off hitter Tommy Farmer homered with a man on in the seventh to put the lead out of reach.
Another Blowout
After a day off, the June 14 game against the Alameda Anchors was another blowout at 11-1, which is becoming familiar with this year’s team. Joey Kramer homered in the 4th, but the highlight was Logan Sutter’s walk-off single in the second inning with the bases loaded, an incredible moment that secured the win.
Sutter’s clutch performance epitomized his approach: “Just got to figure out a way to win every day. No matter if it’s one to zero or 25 to three, you got to find a way to win,” he said.
On Saturday, June 15, the Prune Packers faced the Menlo Legacy (not a league rival, as previously misreported). It was a close game that brought the first test for this dominant Pack lineup as the team’s batting was stifled most of the game. Though they were able to get runners on base, the Menlo pitching was able to get out of jams, and both teams remained scoreless into extra innings.
Then in the bottom of the 10th, Alex Leopard started the inning at second base, Joey Kramer was hit by a pitch and took first, and Logan Sutter singled to load the bases. When Connor Charpiot walked, the winning run came home and the game ended with a 1-0 Packers win.
First League Game
The final game of the week on Sunday, June 16, found the Packers up against the Solano Mudcats, in the first league matchup for the team. The new Pacific Empire League includes the Mudcats as well as the Medford Rogues, Humboldt Crabs, West Coast Kings, Lincoln Potters and Healdsburg Prune Packers.
It was a confident win for the Pack, as they emerged victorious with a 5-0 victory, getting back to their ways of scoring the runners on the basepath and shutting out teams with stellar pitching performances.
Starting pitcher Robert Aivazian pitched three strong, giving up only a single hit and striking out six, and his relief pitchers kept the Mudcats off the scoreboard.
Assistant coach Shupe summed up the game well: “The defense and the pitching led us today, but that’s a grind win where you gotta see it to the very end.”
Team Performance
The Prune Packers’ stats reflect their dominance this week. The team’s batting average, home runs and ERA all point to a well-rounded squad capable of excelling in various aspects of the game. The synergy between the pitchers and fielders has been a crucial factor in their recent victories, as highlighted by their ability to turn double plays and maintain control in high-pressure situations.
With a busy schedule ahead, including three games each against PEL teams the Medford Rogues and Humboldt Crabs, the Healdsburg Prune Packers will need to maintain their current form to continue their winning streak. The upcoming games will be critical, but coach Joey Gomes and his team are prepared to take on the challenges, armed with the strategy and the determination to win each day.
For more information and updates on the Healdsburg Prune Packers, visit their official site at prunepackers.org
Cannon Fritz is a journalism major at Baylor University and a sports analytics intern with the Healdsburg Prune Packers.
