AFL Update: Oct. 12, 2023

Capped off by an Earl Weaver special off the bat of Israel Pineda (pictured above), the Scorpions jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the 1st, then extended the lead to 5-0 after two innings.

The Solar Sox answered with three in the 3rd, four in the 7th, and one in the 8th to take an 8-5 lead. But Scottsdale got the benefit of sloppy bullpen work as Mesa coughed up two on a homer to bring it to within one at 8-7, issued two walks to load the bases, then wild pitched in the tying run and balked in the gamewinner for a 9-8 win for the Scorpions.

Pineda, who caught the game and batted cleanup, finished at 1-for-5 with a HR, three RBI, and two whiffs. Defensively he had an error and a passed ball.

Four other Nationals appeared in the game:

• DJ Herz made his second start but was far less dominant, giving up three runs on five hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out four.
• Robert Hassell shifted to CF and batted seventh. He had two singles in four trips to the plate and four putouts in the field.
• Trey Lipscomb batted ninth and collected his third single of the fall to get onto the interstate (.125) while notching five assists.
• Orlando Ribalta (pictured below) made his third appearance and picked up his second win as he worked around a single in the top of the 9th.

Scottsdale (4-4-1) returns to Glendale (2-7) tonight.