Traveling to Valencia, the Indians were looking to open this weeks 2 - game series with a win. In a contest that Hart once led by a score of 9 -3, the Indians held on for a 9-8 win over Valencia. Hart's offense continued to generate hits and runs, and was led by shortstop, Mattie Hernandez, who was 3 for 4 on the day. Hernandez hits included 2 doubles, and 3 rbis. Alex Pettee also had a multi - hit game, getting 2 hits which included a double and an rbi. Jeremy Whitcomb and Keon Khatibi combined to pitch the seven inning ballgame with Khatibi picking up the save in relief.

Hart jumped out to quick lead in the top of the first. After consecutive walks to Adam Reyes and Logan Foley to open the inning, Jake Hovis laid down a perfect push bunt, that landed in no mans land for an infield single. Cleanup hitter, Alex Pettee then doubled down the left field line, to bring Reyes and Foley across the plate for a 2-0 Hart lead. Mattie Hernandez then singled to left to score Hovis to put the Indians 3rd run of the inning on the board. Mike Cieszko then followed with Harts 4th consecutive base hit of the inning to score Hernandez from second base for a 4-0 lead. While getting staked to a quick lead, starter, Jeremy Whitcomb immediately ran into trouble in the bottom of the first. Valencia responded with 5 hits in their half of the inning to cut the lead to 4-3. In what was the key play of the inning, centerfielder Adam Reyes, gunned down the potential tying run, on a perfect throw to catcher Mike Cieszko at the plate to end the inning and keep Hart ahead 4-3 after one inning of play.

In the 2nd inning, Hart put one more run on the board after Reyes lead off the inning with his second walk. After advancing to 3rd on a throwing error by the Viking 3rd baseman, Reyes scored courtesy of a pitchers balk to put the Indians lead at 5-3. After Whitcomb set down the Vikings quickly in the 2nd, Hart added to their lead by scoring 4 more times in the top of the 3rd. Jason Rehhaut started the inning with a leadoff single. With one out, Tim Plante reached base on an error to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Adam Reyes then grounded into a fielders choice to put runners at the corners with 2 outs. Logan Foley then a grounded a ball that the Valencia first baseman misplayed for an error , allowing Rehhaut to score. Jake Hovis then hit a flyball to short right field that the fielder also misplayed for Valencia's 3rd error of the inning. After a walk to Alex Pettee, Mattie Hernandez then came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. On a first pitch fastball, Hernandez drove a line drive to the right field corner for a double , scoring Harts final two runs of the inning, and putting the score at 9-3 in favor of the Indians.

At this point of the game through the middle of the 5th, both teams generated very little offense, until Valencia came up in their half of the 5th inning. Whitcomb was replaced by reliever , Keon Khatibi , in the 5th. In an inning when only 2 balls left the infield, the Indians allowed Valencia to get back in the game, as the Vikings scored 5 times. Valencia generated 3 hits in the inning and also took advantage of 3 Hart defensive errors. Suddenly, after cruising along with a 9-3 lead, the Indians were looking at a tough game over the final two innings of play. While the Hart offense was only able to generate a Hernandez double in the 6th, the game really belonged to Khatibi over the final two innings as he kept the Viking in check to record Hart's 6th Foothill league win of the season.

With the win, Hart is now 6-5 in League play, and is looking for the season sweep of Valencia on Friday in a 3:15 game at Hart.

Narrative courtesy of Del Hernandez