Justin Patton hasn’t pitched in about two weeks because of a
tender elbow, but he was able to pitch the Balers to an 8-2 victory
over Saratoga in the third round of the Peninsula Easter Classic
played at North County.
Justin Patton hasn’t pitched in about two weeks because of a tender elbow, but he was able to pitch the Balers to an 8-2 victory over Saratoga in the third round of the Peninsula Easter Classic played at North County.
“We’ve been swinging the bats well, especially in this tournament,” said Baler coach Derek Barnes. “They are starting to play loose and are starting to play baseball the way its supposed to be played.”
The Haybalers (10-9, 3-5 TCAL) will continue tournament play Wednesday against Mt. Pleasanton. The game is tentatively scheduled for 1 p.m. at Gavilan College.
Patton had five strikeouts in his seven innings, and the Balers out hit Saratoga 10-4.
“We were originally just going to throw him three or four innings,” Barnes said. “He threw only about 75 pitches. He was getting ahead of hitters. They really didn’t have any good swings off him.”
The Balers got two runs in the first inning. Gabe Gaitan led off the inning with a walk, and Breyon Canez doubled him in.
Brett Fulgoni reached on an error, and Anthony Synegal was able to score from third.
The Balers added three more in the second inning. Scott Mead singled. Gaitan reached on a fielder’s choice.
With one out, Synegal tripled to bring both runners in. Karson Klauer singled in the the third run to make the score 5-1.
In the fifth inning, Drew Quintana walked, was sacrificed over by Scott Mead and scored on a two-out double by Canez.
The Balers capped the scoring with two runs in the seventh inning. Mike Lango got on base with a single, and Gaitan walked with two outs.
Canez, who had three doubles in the game, came up with another one to drive in the runs.
“The last three games we’ve avoided the big innings that have plagued us all year,” Barnes said. “We have 29 hits in the last three games after averaging just four coming in. I have been juggling the lineup all year around trying to find some type of combination that will give up an opportunity to win. And we may have found it.”
