Heat Gets the Best of the Vigilantes’ Pitching

For the second time this season, the Chico Heat handed the Vigilantes a one-sided loss in a home opener in the Western Baseball League.

The Heat, playing its first game in Chico, scored six runs in the first inning and went on to beat the Vigilantes, 11-6, Friday.

Chico had defeated the Vigilantes, 12-5, in Mission Viejo’s home opener May 23.

Ken Shamburg had a two-run double in the first inning Friday. Center fielder Reuben Smiley raced back on the ball but it went off the top of his glove as he neared the fence.

Alan Burke hit a home run for the Vigilantes (5-3), who were coming off an 11-9 victory over Salinas on Thursday.

Sean Drinkwater had two singles in four at-bats and is six for his last eight for the Vigilantes. Teammate Eric Brooks, who started the night with a league-leading .560 average, had a single in four tries.