Legends Win 1st Game of Playoffs!

Most players would be disturbed if they hit into three double plays in a game. Joe Goldenberg erased that from his mind and focused on his three rbi double and nearly perfect two innings of relief as the Menlo Park Legends defeated the Neptune Beach Pearl 5 to 3 in their first round game of the Far West League Playoffs.
Legends start Ray Torres struggled in the first inning as Joe Moroney had an infield single, Clay Williamson singled to right, and Casey Watkins drew a walk to load the bases. Peter Creamer had an rbi grounder to firstbase and Blake Bass added an rbi single to give the Pearl a 3 to 0 lead. Torres settled down to shut out the Pearl over the next four innings, despite fighting his control. He uncharacteristicly gave five free passes to the Pearl hitters.
Pearl starter Jake Popovich cruised along into the third until he walked Tyger Pederson, Pierson Jeremiah singled to right, and Pederson scored on a throwing error.
The Legends exploded for 4 runs and the lead in the fifth. Pederson doubled to left to start the inning. JT Greenhood was hit by a pitch, and after two outs, Grant Nelson was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Travis Bonner was hit by a pitch to force home a run and Goldenberg blasted a double to rightcenter to clear the bases and give the Legends a 5 to 3 lead.
Eric Davila allowed runners in the 6th and 7th, but held the Pearl scoreless; with the help of a double play.
Jeremiah and Bonner each had two hits for the Legends, while Williamson had three for the Pearl.
The Legends will face the winner of the host Humboldt Crabs/Southern Oregon Riverdawgs game, while the Pearl will play the loser in an elimination game on Saturday August 4th. Game times will be available at the end of the Crabs/Riverdawgs game.
Legends fans can follow the game pitch-by-pitch on gamechanger.io or on twitter @mplegends. All games are at Arcata Ballpark in Humboldt. The Championship game will be played Sunday August 5th

– By Michael Simon for the Menlo Park Legends