Pacifics Use Six-Run Fifth to Defeat Sturgeon 11-5
The San Rafael Pacifics scored six runs in the fifth inning and defeated the Martinez Sturgeon 11-5 on July 24, 2026.San Rafael opened the scoring with one run in the second inning when Alex Valesak drove home Jacob Savoy with a sacrifice bunt. The Pacifics added another run in the third and scored twice in the fourth to build a 4-3 advantage.
Martinez scored three runs in the top of the fourth inning to briefly pull even, but the Pacifics answered with two runs in the bottom half before taking control with a six-run fifth inning. San Rafael added its final run in the sixth.
The Pacifics scored 11 runs despite recording only three hits, taking advantage of nine walks, four hit batters and five Martinez errors.
Fred Buckson led San Rafael with a double and three RBIs. Kyle Guerra had a hit, walked three times, scored twice and stole two bases. Jacob Savoy also collected a hit and scored a run.
Valesak helped his own cause by driving in two runs. Keith Whitaker scored twice and drove in a run, while Cal Zemaitis scored twice and drew two walks. John Bicos, Gino Hutchinson and Jaxson Bates also crossed the plate for San Rafael.
Valesak earned the complete-game victory for the Pacifics. He allowed five runs, four earned, on 10 hits over nine innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out four while throwing 119 pitches.
Martinez finished with 10 hits but committed five errors. Andrew Curran homered and drove in a run, while Jacob Klinovsky tripled and finished with two RBIs. Nick Thomson went 2-for-5 with an RBI, and Kyle Norton, Josh Hardamon, Caughlin Shults, Elias Gonzalez and Jacob Connery each added a hit.
The Sturgeon scored once in the seventh and once in the eighth but could not overcome San Rafaels eight-run advantage.
Garrett Mos took the loss after allowing six runs on one hit and three walks in the fifth inning. Derek Murphy, Caughlin Shults, Matthew Walsh and Elias Gonzalez also pitched for Martinez.
San Rafael pitchers did not issue a walk, and the Pacifics capitalized on Martinezs defensive mistakes to earn the 11-5 victory.
