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“Our offense is doing great,” said Manager Ryan Stevens. “The biggest thing is picking good pitches to hit. This year, versus years in the past, we’re being more physical going after that double or home run. And combined with our approach, it’s starting to pay off.”

After Potter right-handed pitcher Alex Dargan (University of Southern California) gave up four runs in his 3.2 innings, the Potter bullpen thrived.

Potter right-handed pitcher John Alkire struck out five Yankee hitters in 3.1 innings, including three consecutive K’s in the sixth inning.

In addition to going 3-for-5 with two RBI, Kevin Gutierrez (William Jessup University) pitched two innings without allowing a run, hit, or walk.

“You’ve got to tip your hat to our pitchers,” Stevens said. “Our bullpen kept them really small and gave up zeroes on the way out. And that gave us a chance to extend the lead.”

Trey Furrey (Oklahoma Baptist University) continued his dominant hitting, going 3-for-5 with two RBI including a single, double, and triple.

The Potters never relented, including a six-run seventh inning highlighted by a two-run home run by Troy Shields (Oklahoma Baptist University) who went 2-for-3 with two RBI.

Despite the dominant victory for Lincoln, the Yankees scored first in the second inning on a two-RBI double from Royce Tsumuru.

But the Potters rallied quickly in the third inning with six runs on five hits. After Gutierrez singled and Zach Chamizo (Sierra College) walked, Furrey lined an RBI-single into left field. And after Chase Weissenborn (University of New Mexico) and Brandon Motheral (University of Pacific) walked, Justin Olson (University of New Mexico) slammed a home run over the right field wall giving the Potters a 6-2 lead.

Yankee DH Christian Smith closed the gap with a two-run home run in the fourth inning. But the Potters responded again with more skilled hitting. Furrey smashed a double off the left field wall and scored on an errant throw. After Chase Weissenborn (University of New Mexico) singled, Dan Pruit (Oklahoma Baptist University) crushed a home run into left field. Motheral, Olson, and Shields walked, and Motheral raced home on a wild pitch extending the Potter lead to 10-4.

The Potters displayed sound fundamental offense in the sixth inning. Dan Pruitt (Oklahoma Baptist University) singled to left field, Motheral and Shields walked, Olson and Mattie Thomas (Cal State Northridge) hit sacrifice ground outs, and Gutierrez’ RBI-single put the Potters ahead, 12-4.

Lincoln’s defense played a key factor in the win. Sacramento’s Kenny Morgan hit a line drive into center field with two Yankees on base in the second inning, but Gutierrez launched a dazzling throw to Shields at home plate who made the tag. Furrey fielded a hard-hit grounder in the fifth inning and stepped on third base for a force out that preserved the six-run Potter lead.

The Potters meet the Yuba-Sutter Goldsox in Marysville tomorrow.

You can find tonight’s box score here.