Rawhide Explode Early, Roll Past Tower Buzzers 13-5

ONTARIO, Calif. – The Visalia Rawhide wasted no time taking charge on Wednesday night. They put up four runs in the first inning and never let the Ontario Tower Buzzers make it close, cruising to a 13-5 win on May 27.

Visalia’s offense was relentless from the jump. They racked up 11 hits, drew nine walks, and took full advantage of a few early mistakes from Ontario’s defense. The Rawhide hitters got locked in right away, chasing Tower Buzzers starter Hyun-Seok Jang out of the game before the first inning was even in the books.

JD Dix set the pace out of the leadoff spot, getting on base four times and crushing two home runs. He drew a walk to spark the early rally, then went deep in the next inning to stretch Visalia’s lead to 5-0. Just for good measure, he launched another solo shot in the ninth to cap off a night where almost everything clicked for the Rawhide.

Kayson Cunningham also had himself a night near the top of the order. He picked up three hits, got on base five times, and kept the pressure on the Tower Buzzers’ pitchers. Every time Cunningham reached, the middle of the lineup got more chances to bring him around.

Most of the real damage happened right out of the gate. In the first inning, Enyervert Perez drilled a double down the line that drove in two. Pedro Catuy reached on an error that let another run score, and then Ivan Luciano singled home one more. By the time Ontario got its third out, Visalia led 4-0.

Ontario’s pitching just couldn’t find the zone, and Visalia’s hitters made them pay for it. The Tower Buzzers handed out nine walks, hit two batters, and rarely put themselves in a good position to get out of trouble.

Perez finished the night with three RBIs and a pair of doubles. Luciano chipped in a solo homer in the sixth, and Abdias De La Cruz went yard that inning too, blowing the game wide open.

The Rawhide scored in six different innings and never had to rely on one huge frame. The top five hitters reached base 16 times total, making life tough for Ontario the whole way.

On the mound, Wilkin Paredes tossed four scoreless innings and only gave up three hits.

Raul Garayzar came out of the bullpen and picked up the win. Ontario scratched across a couple of runs in the fifth, then added some late runs on Chase Harlan’s solo homer and Jaron Elkins’ two-run double. But honestly, the game was already out of reach.

For the Buzzers, Jaron Elkins was a bright spot. He finished with four hits, including a triple and a double. Harlan reached base twice and homered, but Ontario just couldn’t string together enough good at-bats to make a comeback.

Early defensive mistakes hurt Ontario badly. Harlan’s miscue in the first was a sign of what kind of night it was going to be. Visalia just didn’t let up, pouncing on every opportunity.

Once Visalia built a comfortable lead, Ontario was just trying to limit the damage, while the Rawhide kept their foot on the gas. Visalia wrapped up one of their most convincing wins of the year, especially on the road, with the top of the order leading the way yet again. Game three on May 28th, 6:35.