Potters caged by Crabs, suffer first loss in PEL opener

The Lincoln Potters' historic start to the season ended Tuesday night at McBean Stadium, as the Humboldt Crabs handed Lincoln its first loss in a Pacific Empire League opener. The defeat snapped a franchise-record 15-0 start, the best opening stretch in team history. The Potters doubled up the Crabs in hits but fell 3-2. Lincoln scored first when Peryn Bland delivered an RBI single in the opening inning, bringing home Quincy Malbrough for a 1-0 advantage. The Crabs evened the score in the second after Tanner Kees lined an RBI single to center field to score Adam Enyart. Humboldt then took control in the fifth, capitalizing on two Potters miscues. Former Potter Everet Johnson scored on a wild pitch before Jaden Shabry added an RBI single to right field, giving the visitors a 3-1 lead. Lincoln cut into the deficit in the sixth when Brady Dobson launched a solo home run to right field for his first long ball of the summer. Despite three hits in the final three innings and two runners in scoring position, the Potters were unable to find the tying run. Jordy Lopez and Peryn Bland each collected two hits for Lincoln. Potters starter Justin Santiago struck out eight over five innings, allowing three runs and three hits. Gavin McLendon provided two scoreless innings of relief with two strikeouts, and Tyler Vargas and Matias Michel each tossed scoreless frames. Humboldt pitchers combined to strike out 15 Potters hitters. Reliever Evan Miranda earned the win after recording 10 strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings, and Enyart worked a scoreless ninth for the save. Starter Aidan Dorsch allowed one run and six hits over 3 1/3 innings, striking out four and walking two. Lincoln stranded 10 runners.