Eight score and four years ago, the game of baseball was invented. But it did not take 164 years for the Jaguars to breeze right through the 2009 Jaguar Classic during President’s Day weekend.
It only took four days.
During the first game against the College of the Desert Roadrunners, SWC right-fielder Travis Taijeron was 3 for 5 with homeruns on his first two at-bats.
Jaguars ended up taking the game, 11-3.
There was no reason for the Jags to be scared on Friday the 13th because they breezed right past the Orange Coast College Pirates and snatched a 5-1 victory.
Starting pitcher Lucas Sanford pitched 8 2/3 innings and struck out five batters. In the ninth left-handed pitcher Francisco Valdez came in and closed out the game.
“Pitching is 85 percent of a baseball game,” said Bartow.
On Valentine’s Day the Jaguars won 7-1. Starting pitcher Eric Krause pitched seven innings and struck out six batters.
Center fielder Aaron Waddington was 3 for 6 with two RBIs.
“Waddington did good, (he was) a surprise the whole day,” said Bartow.
SWC did not let up. On Sunday the Jaguar’s lineup batted around during the bottom of the eighth, scoring six runs to secure a 13-4 victory over East LA.
Third basemen Ryan Fariss was exceptional during the classic and is being scouted by universities.
“I think the overall experience from last year is gonna help us out a lot,” said Fariss.
With a 10-1-1 pre-season record, the Jaguars go into the conference strong.
