Today was Opening Day for the Arizona Fall League and Surprise Saguaros won game one by a final of 11-6 against the Salt River Rafters.
The Texas Rangers had three players in the Saguaros’ lineup that each contributed to the win.
Luisangel Acuña, Aaron Zavala and Trevor Hauver each had a two-hit game with Zavala and Hauver each hitting a long ball.
The River Rafters got off to a fast start, scoring a run in the first inning on a single by Colt Keith to score Jordan Lawlar.
Their lead was short lived as the Surprise Saguaros took the lead in the top of the 2nd inning when they scored a run thanks to a throwing error and two more runs on a single from Trevor Hauver.
The River Rafters tied the game in the bottom of the third inning on a solo home run by Parker Meadows and then a sac-fly by Jordan Walker.
The game was tied until the top of the 5th inning, when the Saguaros scored four runs to take a 7-3 lead. The big hit was a two-run triple by Will Wagner, followed by an RBI-double by Scott Schreiber and an RBI single by Johan Rojas. The team was a home run short of the cycle in the inning.
Trevor Hauver’s home run gave the Saguaros a commanding lead in the seventh inning. It was a three-run shot to left-center field that put them up 10-3 at the time.
The River Rafters tried to mount a comeback with three runs in the bottom of the seventh, but it was not enough as they ultimately fell 11-6.
Aaron Zavala added a run in the top of the 8th with a solo shot, making the score 11-6. He’s definitely one of the players you’ll want to keep an eye on!
Luisangel Acuña’s two batted balls had an EV over 101 mph. His 5 BBE averaged 95.5 mph.
Zavala went 2-4 with a HR that went 415 feet with a 105.5 mph EV.
The Saguaros will look to keep their momentum going tomorrow as they send Rangers prospect, Kumar Rocker to the mound take on the Javelinas.
Rocker is expected to pitch two to three innings.
The Rangers have nine players that are assigned to the Surprise Saguaros.
2022 stats
- Luisangel Acuña: .400 (2-5), 1.000 OPS
- Aaron Zavala: .500 (2-4) HR, RBI, BB, 1.850 OPS
- Trevor Hauver: 1.000 (2-2) HR, 4 RBI, 2BB, 3.500 OPS
