3/8: After opening conference play with a tough loss, the Varsity Giants bounced back, putting up crooked numbers in the first three innings hosting the Branson Bulls today at Moody Field.
The Bulls threatened in the top of the first, loading the bases on two free passes and a hit batter, but starting pitcher Kyle Felder was able to work through it with help from his defense and himself, forcing a bases loaded grounder back to the box. The Giants doubled their run total against San Marin in the first inning as after one out, a Lucas Roy single was followed by a single by Jackson Barry. Nick Welch would single, scoring Roy to post the first Giants run. Jack Morken would follow with the fourth hit in a row, sending Barry home, putting Redwood up 2-0.
Felder made quick work of the Bulls in the top of the second, sending them down 1-2-3. Starting catcher Jake Gassman led off the bottom of the second with a single to center. Gassman would advance to second on a wild pitch and steal third on the first pitch to Lucas Roy. Roy then knocked Gassman home for his second hit on the day, putting the Giants up 3-0. Roy would also steal third and score on a Jackson Barry sacrifice fly to center. After two innings, Redwood 4 – Branson 0.
After a lead off single and a strike-out, Branson would cut the lead in half on a wind-aided, fly ball that cleared the wall in left. Jackson Bender was hailed from the bullpen to stymy the Bulls threat, which he di in commanding fashion, inducing a fly out and ending the inning with a strike out. Shortstop Jackson Reed led off the bottom of the frame with a walk, and Jake Gassman singled to right side, but Reed was cut down on a perfect throw to third. Gassman went to third on a balk by the pitcher and was knocked home on a single by Genki LeClair. After stealing second and third, LeClair then scored on a passed ball, putting the Giants up 6-2 after three innings.
Bender then sent the Bulls down in order, and the Giants followed suit, sending the game into the fifth inning. Satoshi Miki led off the inning reaching first on an error. After Miki stole second and third, Jake Gassman would tally his third hit on the day, roping a double to center, scoring Satoshi from third, putting the Giants up 7-2
Branson scored a run in the top of the sixth, but that would end up being all of the scoring for the day. Four Giants pitchers (Kyle Felder, Jackson Bender, Ben Cohen, and Robbie Wilson) would combine for the win, holding the Bulls to three runs while striking out four and only walking two. Genki LeClair, Jackson Barry, Nick Welch and Jack Morken all had a hit apiece, while Lucas Roy added two and Jake Gassman had a perfect day at the plate, going 3-3, scoring twice with an RBI. The Giants stole a total of seven bases on the day.
The Giants scheduled game against Dublin will be rescheduled due to impending rain. They will resume league play, hosting the Tamalpais Red-Tailed Hawks on Tuesday at 4:00pm at Moody Field.