3/12:
Nick Welch pitched good enough for the win
The Giants started off relatively sharp the first three innings of Tuesday night’s matchup against Tam high school. Starting pitcher, Nick Welch, was throwing hard, striking out six batters through the first three innings.
Genki LeClair makes an over-the-shoulder catch
Even after an early error in the bottom of the second inning, the Giants second baseman, Genki LeClair, made an exceptional over the shoulder catch in shallow right field, doubling up the runner at first base who underestimated LeClair’s ability to track down the troublesome blooper. The Giants had early opportunities to score as well. In the bottom of the second, first baseman, Jack Morken, blasted a ball to right field in route to a triple. With only one out, the Giants were unable to score Morken.
Tam would score first in the top of the fourth inning with a couple of doubles. Redwood would respond with hits by Lucas Roy and Jackson Barry, leaving runners at the corners with no outs. Next, Head coach, Mike Firenzi, called for a squeeze play but Roy was tagged out at home on the fielder’s choice. With the threat at third eliminated, a deep fly ball out to center field by Morken would fail to advance the two runners on base. The Giants could not equalize in the fourth.
The Giants troubles began in the top of the fifth when a slew of fielding errors allowed the Hawks to plate two runs (0-3). Jared Robinow would enter the game in the bottom half and force a seven pitch walk to get on base, but the Giants could not advance the speedy Robinow.
In the top of the sixth inning, Tam would score two more unearned runs (0-5). The Giants finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth. Center fielder, Lucas Roy, lead off with a single up the middle. Jackson Barry then singled to left field, advancing Roy. J. Gassman would enter as a courtesy runner for Barry. Drake Goodman was then walked, loading the bases. Jack Morken was also walked, scoring Roy (1-5). Sam Warren then hit a line drive to right field, scoring Gassman (2-5). Jared Robinow bunted the ball down first base, scoring Goodman (3-5). Matt Birchenough entered the game and hit the ball toward third base but was narrowly called out at first base to end the inning.
The Giants would unfortunately surrender three more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning on walks and fielding errors. Down but not out, the Giants would mount another comeback. Genki LeClair lead off with a line drive single to left field. Jackson Barry then hit a fielder’s choice to third, advancing LeClair to third base and leaving Barry on first after an error by the Tam first baseman. Alex Hagen then singled to right field, scoring LeClair (4-8). Barry would get stuck in no-mans’ land on the fly ball, eventually getting tagged out at second.
Jack Morken blasts his 2nd triple
With two outs, Jack Morken hit his second triple of the day, scoring Hagen (5-8). Jake Gassman would walk, leaving the tying run at the plate. The game would end on a high fly ball to center field. Final Score: 5-8
Notables: Jack Morken (2 Triples, 1BB, 2RBI), Jackson Barry (2H), Lucas Roy (2H, 1R), Sam Warren (1H, 1RBI), Genki LeClair (1H, 1Run), Jared Robinow (1RBI).
Varsity play next at Novato High on Friday the 15th. First pitch 4:30 p.m.