Potters fall to Prune Packers in game 1 of PEL Championship Series

The Lincoln Potters dropped game one of the Pacific Empire League Championship Series on Wednesday night 8-2 to the Healdsburg Prune Packers at McBean Stadium. Healdsburg scored a run in the first inning and three runs in the second to build a 4-0 lead. The Prune Packers added single runs in the fourth and sixth before scoring twice in the ninth. Lincoln scored its runs in the third and ninth innings. "We made some mistakes we usually don't make, and they were able to capitalize on it," Potters manager Eli Garcia said. "Credit to them for being able to capitalize on those mistakes. We still got one game left. You've got to take it one game at a time to earn that second game of the series. I think we're going to answer back. We're going to compete." Rex Watson led the Healdsburg offense with a perfect 5-for-5 performance, scoring four runs while hitting a home run and a double. Trevian Martinez drove in three runs, and Cannon Goldin had two RBIs as the Prune Packers totaled 12 hits. The Potters collected seven hits and drew six walks but stranded 11 runners while striking out 11 times. Ethan Groves led Lincoln with two hits, while Ian Guanzon scored a run and had the Potters' only RBI. "We didn't play a complete nine innings of baseball today, and we left a lot of guys on base," Garcia said. "Other games we cashed in on those guys on base. It was just one of those days that didn't go our way. We're not going to make excuses about it. We just didn't execute." Justin Santiago was charged with the loss after allowing four runs (two earned) over three innings while striking out six. Daniel Aceto provided two scoreless innings in relief, striking out two. Wednesday marked the Potters' final home game of the summer after posting a 34-3 record at McBean. "Summer games at McBean are definitely electric," Garcia said. "The amount of support we get from everybody, the town of Lincoln, it's been awesome through and through." The Potters travel to Healdsburg on Friday needing a win to force a decisive game three.