Hustlers reach 14 straight wins before Barlow loss

Hood River Valley (HRV) senior Chaz Valentine (2-for-4, three RBI, three runs scored) and The Dalles High sophomore Chase Peterson (1-for-4, two RBI) led the Hustlers’ offense. Starting pitcher Gunner Bustos and relievers Cannon Stocks, Valentine and Peterson combined for nine strikeouts and six walks.

The Hustlers then swept a July 1 home doubleheader by identical 13-3 scores over Gresham’s 18-and-under squad.

The Hustlers were led offensively by HRV sophomore Landen Pratt (2-for-3, RBI), The Dalles High senior Evan Ortega (2-for-3, two RBI) and The Dalles junior Sawyer Dray (2-for-4, four RBI). The pitching trio of Kale Beardmore, Hunter Kelly and starter Drake Dark of Sherman High combined on a four hitter with four strikeouts, two walks and no earned runs.

In Game 2, the Hustlers scored three runs in the sixth to end the game early. The Hustlers were led offensively by Pratt (2-for-4, triple, three RBI), Goldendale High junior Wyatt Bolton (2-for-4, two RBI), Bustos (1-for-1, RBI) and Peterson (1-for-2, RBI). The pitching duo of starter Bolton and reliever Beardmore combined for seven strikeouts, two walks and two earned runs.

The Hustlers then traveled to West Linn to compete in the 10-team Big Bang Tournament July 3-6. In the first game of a July 3 doubleheader, the Hustlers scored the game’s only two runs in the sixth and held on for the shutout victory. The Hustlers were outhit 3-2 with Pratt (1-for-3) and Beardmore (1-for-2) getting the only hits.

Starting pitcher Bustos (10 strikeouts, two walks) and reliever Pratt (three strikeouts, two walks) combined on the mound to help lead a solid defensive performance.

In their second game, the Hustlers won 7-4 over the Nelson Hawks. The Hustlers broke a 3-3 tie by scoring two runs in the fourth to take a 5-3 advantage and added two more in the bottom of the fifth. The Hustlers outhit the Hawks, 7-4; the winners were led offensively by Pratt (1-for-2, RBI), Ortega (1-for-4, two RBI) and Bustos (1-for-3, RBI). Pratt and Dark combined on the mound for five strikeouts, five walks and one earned run.

On July 4, the Hustlers played a team from Australia that included players from Dubai, China and Alaska and they won, 2-1. Australia outhit the Hustlers, 6-3, but the Hustlers were able to capitalize on five errors. Ortega (1-for-4), Peterson (1-for-2), Beardmore (1-for-4) and Bustos (RBI) helped lead the offense. Pitchers Dray and Peterson combined for 10 strikeouts, two walks and no earned runs.

On July 5, the Hustlers lost, 7-5, to the Barlow Bruins Premier team, snapping their win streak at 14. The Hustlers outhit the Bruins, 7-6, and they were led offensively by Peterson (2-for-4, two RBI), Dark (1-for-4, two RBI) and Beardmore (2-for-2). The Hustlers quartet of pitchers Dray, Sawyer Case, Dark and Peterson combined for 10 strikeouts, eight walks and one earned run.

The Hustlers will play their next games beginning at 5 p.m. on July 10 — a doubleheader versus Pendleton at Quinton Street Ballpark in The Dalles.