Both Signal Hill Oilers and SoCal Shepherds had their offenses going on Thursday, but Signal Hill Oilers eventually prevailed 9-6 to start the 2020 SBL season 1-0.

Signal Hill Oilers opened up scoring in the first inning, when Mark Kirkland (U of Redlands) singled on a 1-2 count, scoring one run. 

The Oilers took a 9-1 lead into the sixth, but the SoCal Shepherds answered back and scored three runs in the sixth inning and two in the seventh to make it close, but could not breakthrough

The SoCal Shepherds bats were led by Tanner Smith (Oregon) and Will Cline (Centre College), who both drove in runs.

Donovan Waitman (LA Pierce) was the winning pitcher for Signal Hill Oilers. He surrendered zero runs on zero hits over one inning, walking zero.  Jackson Briscoe (LA Pierce) recorded the last two outs to earn the save for Signal Hill Oilers.

Esteban Nakashima (U of Redlands), Dirk Ryan (LA Pierce), Gabriel Barthelmass (Vanguard), Sammy Diaz (U of Redlands) had hits to lead Signal Hill Oilers offense.  Signal Hill Oilers was sure-handed and didn't commit a single error on the day.

Jackson Van Ness (Anderson U) went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead SoCal Shepherds in hits.