April 20, 2016: Drake High School, San Anselmo: Gallant Effort Sparks Giant’s Offense. Redwood’s freshman baseball team has many weapons. Even still, on Wednesday night, the Giant’s overcame a scare. There is no doubt the boys from Redwood are loaded with special players. However, there is always a “but,” in the sport of baseball; and on Wednesday night, that proved to be true.
The always reliable, Kyle Felder, started for the Giants. Kyle worked with style, in true fashion, and blanked the Pirate’s through the first three innings . The Giants, however, stalled in the top half of the first inning. This would not last. In the second inning, the Giants manufactured three runs, with hits by Jackson Barry and Jacob Klionsky. Jared Robinow then laid down a bunt to move Barry and Klionsky into scoring position. Nick Cook drove the ball into deep center- giving the Giants their first two runs. A crafty Jared Robinow would eventually steal home plate. (3-0 after two)
In the third inning, Enzo Santa, got on board with a well struck single. Jackson Barry would follow with his second hit of the day, only to be tagged out attempting to steal home. Klionsky, nonetheless, would drive another ball off the left field fence giving the Giants a 3-0 lead. In the top of the fourth, Nick Cook, stayed hot with a lead off bomb. Second baseman, Genki LeClair, followed up with a hard hit RBI to right field, scoring Cook. (6-0)
Drake mounted a comeback in the bottom half of the fourth inning, scoring five runs and giving the home team crowd reason to cheer. (6-5) Redwood stalled in the fifth inning. Drake stayed hot and eventually put runners on third and second in the bottom half of the fifth. With the possible go-ahead runs on board, Head Coach, Tabor Watson, handed the ball to Evan Solter. In the most intense moment of the the game, Evan Solter, threw three untouchable pitches and struck out the Drake batter-silencing the home crowd and ending the Pirate threat.
In the top of the sixth inning, things got sporty for the Giants. Nick Cook, Genki LeClair, Jake Nordstrom and Robbie Wilson all put the ball in play, loading the bases for Jack Morken. With the game still hanging in the balance, Morken tore into a hanging curve ball, sending it to the fence and clearing the bases. Jackson Barry and Jacob Klionsky would pour on the runs, with hard hit balls deep into the outfield. In the end, after the top of the sixth, the Giants would hit through their starting nine, scoring seven runs and ending any hope of a Drake upset.
Zack Gordon and Bryce Jehling entered the game after Drake mounted another one run effort in the bottom half of the sixth inning. Both Gordon and Jehling contributing with solid hits and, in Jehling’s case, the final two outs behind closer Ryan Jessen. Final score: 14-6 Giants.
Notable Stats: Jared Robinow (3 hits, 2 runs); Genki LeClair (2 hits, 2 runs, 1 RBI); Jacob Klionsky (5 plate appearances, 5 hits, 1 RBI, 2 runs); Jackson Barry (2 hits, 1 run); Nick Cook (3 hits, 1 RBI, 2 runs); Robbie Wilson (2 hits, 2 RBI, 1 run); Jack Morken ( 2 hits, 3 RBI, 1 run). The Giants take on San Marin High School next Monday (April 25th) at Sinaloa Middle School. 4:30 p.m. First pitch. Go GIANTS!