Strong pitching. Rock-solid defense.
Those two ingredients earmarked a sweep of visiting Paso Robles
for the Hollister High baseball team on Saturday.
Strong pitching. Rock-solid defense.
Those two ingredients earmarked a sweep of visiting Paso Robles for the Hollister High baseball team on Saturday.
The Balers had two pitchers go the distance in notching 2-1 and 6-1 wins to run their non-conference record to 5-2.
Eric Diaz, Jr. (2-1) scattered six hits, struck out five and walked none in the lidlifter for the Balers, pitching to just four batters over the minimum.
In the nightcap, Nathan Rowe (2-1) gave up just seven Bearcats hits. Rowe had offensive help from Diaz, Jr., who cranked a two-run double in the sixth inning as the Balers put up a three-spot to break it open.
Diaz, Jr. had his bat going in the first game, as well. He singled in the first inning, drove home Josh Badillo on a sac fly in the third inning and doubled in the fifth.
And with one out in the bottom of the seventh and the score knotted at 1-all, Diaz, Jr. reached first by way of error. Gordon Ross walked off submariner reliever Todd Nelson. Rowe took the first pitch he saw from Nelson and ripped it down the left field line to score Diaz, Jr. with the winning run, albeit unearned.
“The previous at bat, he threw a first-pitch fastball so I was looking for it this time around,” said Rowe.
The Bearcats (1-2) played good, sound baseball, though they made four errors on the day. They could be excused for any physical and mental lapses for they start four sophomores and a junior, to say nothing of the experience three-hour bus ride up Highway 101.
Still, Paso Robles head coach Derek Stroud, whose club plays in the Pac-5 League, gave much of the credit to Diaz, Jr.
“Diaz, Jr. is a good competitor and a good athlete,” said Stroud. “He gave us only a couple of opportunities and we didn’t execute.”
The Balers, with 11 men left on base to the Bearcats’ four, had more chances to score runs. But twice, Bearcats sophomore catcher Jacob Hamby threw out Baler baserunners trying to steal bases. Diaz, Jr. was nailed trying to steal second on a first-and-third situation in the first inning. Anthony Synegal was gunned down at third base while trying to advance on a potential passed ball in the fourth. It looked like Synegal had eluded the tag of Paso third baseman Joe Serullo, but the plate umpire, the only umpire on the diamond, came out about seven yards down the third baseline to rule Synegal out as he saw the ball beat the runner to the bag.
“Our offense is a little behind right now,” said Baler coach Neal Andrade.
The Balers, who had 10 hits in the second game and 17 hits total, had best bring their war clubs when the Tri-County Athletic League opens this Wednesday vs. Live Oak. The Acorns are likely to start Ryan Mueller, who whiffed 20 batters in a win over Santa Clara last week.
Baler bits from game one: The Bearcats scored their run in the first inning when Todd Fleener’s off-field double scored Brandon Huerta. – Ross was intentionally walked in the fifth inning. – Ross made a nice running grab just off first base in foul territory to catch a Sarullo pop-up in the fifth inning. Shortstop Nick Ramos snared a liner from Seth Kolach in the third. Rowe, playing second base, made a tough stop on a hard two-hopper from Graham Mankey in the fifth. – Synegal, playing catcher, threw out two runners – one at first base and one at second. – Badillo recorded five putouts in center field. – With no varsity umpires in sight, Andrade finally pulled an umpire off the adjacent junior varsity game. The double-dip began 20 minutes later than scheduled. – In a frosh baseball note, Hollister’s Travis Ross hit for the cycle last week in a win over Monte Vista Christian.
Game OnePaso Robles 100 000 0 – 1 6 2
Hollister 001 000 1 – 2 7 0
WP-Diaz, Jr. (2-1). LP-Nelson (0-1). 2B – Fleener (PR); Badillo, Diaz, Jr. (H). 2 hits – Huerta (PR); Diaz, Jr., Rowe (H).
Game TwoPaso Robles 000 100 0 – 1 7 2
Hollister 010 203 X – 6 10 1
WP-Rowe (2-1). LP-Mueller. 2B – Badillo, Fulgoni, Diaz, Jr., Ramos (H). 2 hits – O’Connell, Badillo, Ramos (H). 2 RBI – Diaz, Jr.
