On the road seems to be the place to be in 2020 as the visiting team won all three games in the Beavers season opening series with West Valley College.  After the Beavers took game 1 in Saratoga on Friday, the Vikings returned the favor by spoiling the Beavers home opener on Saturday.  A.R.C. took the final game of the series 9-5 in Saratoga on Tuesday thanks to some clutch hitting as well as a solid pitching debut from freshman LHP Will Gonzales (Elk Grove).  Gonzales hit the first two batters he faced but managed to get out of that jam, not allowing a hit until there was one out in the 4^th inning.  He finished allowing no runs on three hits in four innings of work.  Freshman Jake Slates (Antelope) had a rough 5^th inning but he earned his first collegiate win.  Freshman RHP Christian Lucero (River City) had his best performance yet throwing three scoreless innings, striking out 5 while allowing just two hits.  Freshman RHP Bryce Sidler (Oakmont) closed out the game in the 9^th inning. 

At the plate the Beavers took a couple of innings to get going, as they were held scoreless until the 4^th when freshman 1B Brooks Mitchell (Vista del Lago) hit his first career home run and the Beavers' first round-tripper of the season, a two run shot to left center.  Later in the inning Sophomore LF Joseph Hayden (Cosumnes Oaks) cleared the bases with a three run triple to put the Beavers up 5-0.  After the Vikings got three runs in the 5^th inning, the teams traded zeroes on the board until the top of the 8^th when pinch-hitter Cole Hurtarte (Whitney) doubled in a pair of runs followed by Hayden's 2^nd triple of the game.  Hayden later scored on a wild pitch.  His three triples currently lead the state and his .600 batting average has him in the top 25 in the state. 

Sophomore 3B Garrett Glynn (Del Oro) was 2x3 with a pair of walks on the day.  The Beavers will play host to Shasta College on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at Beaver Field.  Friday A.R.C. will host Feather River College at 2:00 p.m. as well.