LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) - The Live Oak Lions baseball team suffered its sixth consecutive defeat as they lost to the Durham Trojans 16-2 in a Sacramento Valley League matchup on Thursday, April 6.

Live Oak took on a competitive team towards the top of the CIF Northern Section, as Durham was ranked 9th in the latest MaxPreps poll on April 6. This marked the third consecutive week the Lions have played a top-15 ranked team in the Northern Section for SVL play.

Live Oak (3-6, 0-6 SVL) head coach Jeff Smith expressed to the Herald his team gives him their best effort and that is all he wants from them.

The Lions started freshman pitcher/infielder Bradley Perigo on the mound against Durham. Perigo was consistent in getting the ball over the plate for strikes against the Trojans.

Durham (8-3-1) had precise touch and were able to hit the ball in the right spots where Live Oak was not able to field the ball and attempt a clean out.

Smith spoke of the youth movement the Lions have this season with only four upper class men on their 15-man roster. “It shows on the field we’re young,” Smith said. “We make a good play one second and then we kick a routine ball on the next play.”

Sophomore pitcher/infielder T.J. Ehrke relieved Perigo later in the game. Ehrke and Perigo combined for surrendering 12 hits, but did strike out four Trojans along the way and the Lions squeezed five hits through the infield past Durham.

Live Oak junior outfielder Eben Jones exemplified leadership qualities during the game against the Trojans as he acted as first base coach. Although Jones wasn’t in the lineup at the time, he had everyone ready looking for the next play.

Jones' support was heard through the roof, whether it was a hitter taking a great hack at the ball or showing great patience by letting a ball go out of the zone on the outside corner.

Smith expressed his gratitude for Jones post-game and was able to get Jones into the lineup during the 16-2 defeat.

Live Oak faced another challenge this past week as they traveled to Winters to play another competitive ranked team in the Northern Section.

The SVL schedule for the Lions will lighten up after playing their final three opponents in league - Pierce, Paradise and Willows.