4/5: On another misty afternoon, starting pitcher, Kyle Felder, needed only 71 pitches to throw a complete game victory over The Branson School. Felder, a senior, allowed only five hits through seven innings, striking out five Branson batters along the way. The Giants played error-free baseball on their way to a 12-hit day. It goes without saying, when the Giants commit no errors, they usually win.
Playing as the visiting side on their home field, Redwood scored first in the top of the second inning. Ben Cohen doubled to start things off for the Giants. Genki LeClair, who has a batting average of .426, followed with a hard-hit double to deep right field, scoring Cohen. First baseman, Jack Morken, was hit by a pitch before, left fielder, Sam Warren, bunted LeClair and Morken safely to scoring position. Jackson Reed then put the ball in play, forcing the Branson ace to make a difficult play toward first base, over-throwing the first baseman, which allowed both LeClair and Morken to score. Branson, however, picked up a run in the bottom half of the second inning to keep it interesting, 3-1, Redwood.
In the fourth, catcher, Jake Nordstrom, was hit by a pitch. Jackson Reed singled up the middle, advancing Nordstrom to second base. Junior Matt Birchenough, then laid down a bunt, advancing the runners into scoring position. Third baseman, Jackson Barry, would bust the game open with a deep line drive over the center fielder’s head, scoring Reed and Nordstrom (5-1).
Redwood picked up another run in the fifth. Jack Morken connected with an ill-advised fastball, sending the ball up the middle of the Branson defense. Morken immediately stole second base. Sam Warren then singled to left field, scoring Morken (6-1).
In the seventh inning, Cohen singled through the second base gap. Genki LeClair then singled up the middle, advancing Cohen to second base. Jack Morken then hit a low curveball down the third base line, scoring Cohen and LeClair (8-1). Defensively, head coach, Mike Firenzi, played Zack Gordon at shortstop, who ended the game with a diving grab to his left, tossed the ball to Mathew Smalbach, who completed the double play to Haiden Jones. Final Score: 8 to 1.
The Giants resume MCAL play on Wednesday, April 10th, when they take on San Marin High School in Novato. First pitch – 4:30 p.m.