Sports Briefs: Pacifics take Train Robbers to deciding third game in title series

With a sterling effort from reliever Owen Cuffe, the San Rafael Pacifics beat the host Bakersfield Train Robbers on Saturday night to force a one-game showdown for the Pecos League Pacific Division crown. The teams are scheduled to play Sunday at 7:45 p.m. in Bakersfield.

San Rafael (34-25) finished second to Bakersfield (36-24) in the regular season standings The Pacifics lost 13-4 to the Train Robbers in Friday’s opener of the best-of-three series between the top two teams in the division in the regular season standings. The Pacific Division winner advances to the Pecos League championships against the Mountain Division champion.

Cuffe gave up one earned run on two hits through five innings as he walked two batters and struck out six to earn the win. Starter Jayson Summers tallied four strikeouts, five walks and two earned runs on three hits before handing the ball to Cuffe in the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Pacifics rallied to tie the game at 3-3 in the fourth inning on an RBI single from Chris Blyskal, who finished the night 3-for-4 with three RBIs. He knocked out a two-run double as part of a three-run fifth inning as the Pacifics built a tentative 6-4 lead. Blyskal added an RBI double during a two-run seventh as the Pacifics looked to lock down the win with a four-run lead.

The Train Robbers came back to score two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but Cuffe and the Pacifics kept them off the scoreboard for the final two innings.

Blake Diggle was 3-for-4 with an RBI double in the second inning for the Pacifics. Sonoma State product Mark Hernandez hit a solo home run in the third inning. John Bicos had a pair of base hits with an RBI and scored twice.

Job openings

San Domenico is looking for a high school flag football coach. The season starts in late August and plays through October. Interested candidates should contact director of athletics Mark Churchill at mchurchill@sandomenico.org.