Today, the sun was out for Redwood’s Junior Varsity baseball team after a quick turn-around from last night’s extra-inning victory in Petaluma. Taking on Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco, the Giants handed the ball to Cole Zesiger for their second pre-season game in as many days. On a day where two out rallies were the norm, the Giants made quick work of their opponent in the first inning after third basemen, Jackson Barry, was hit by a pitch. Jack Hake followed up with a single up the middle. With runners at first and second, first basemen, Jack Morken, turned on a fastball and shot the ball to the hot corner, advancing the runners and outrunning the throw to first. With the bases loaded, catcher Sam Warren stayed hot with a double to left, scoring Barry and Hake. In the bottom half of the first, after giving up an initial walk, Zesiger settled down to retire the next three batters, striking out one. (2-0 Redwood after one).

The Giants conceded one out in the top half of the second inning before they once again generated some offense. Infielder, Zachary Gordon, was hit by a pitch. Gordon then stole second. The upstart, Nate Charles, kept the rally alive with a double to right field, advancing Gordon to third. With runners at second and third, Jackson Bender hit the ball deep enough for Gordon to tag up and score. (3-0 Redwood). With two outs, Jackson Barry followed up with a hard hit ball to the third basemen, under pressure, and scored Charles. (4-0 Redwood). The contest was busted wide open when Jack Hake drilled his second hit of the day to deep center, doubling and scoring Barry. (5-0 Redwood). Starting pitcher, Cole Zesiger, would help his cause by turning a double play (1,4, 3) to end the second inning.

The Giants would once again use a combination of pitchers for the rest of the day to secure the five run lead. Jeremy Sellier returned to the active list in the third inning. The lefty’s 2017 debut was solid, as Sellier baffled the Crusaders with his off-speed stuff. In the fourth inning, the Giants would manufacturer their sixth run when Sam Warren doubled home Jack Morken from first base.

Coach Billy Jack Ryan also used Ryan Jessen on the hill. Jessen maintained the shut out for an inning and two thirds. In his 2017 debut, Maxim Kawashima returned to the hill with an impressive show of straight up power. Maxim threw twenty pitches, gave up no hits and struck out two.

The Giants offense managed a seventh and final run in the sixth inning. Jackson Bender started things off with a lead-off single. Jacob Klionsky followed up with a single to right field. Maxim Kawashima connected with a pitch to deep center, allowing Bender to smartly tag-up at second base and move to third. After, the Giants were the beneficiaries of their opponent’s relation to Johaan Sebastian Bach, earning Bender a free trot to home plate. (7-0 Redwood). Jack Hake came in for the save, striking out three batters and preserving the shut-out win for Zesiger.

The JV Giants will be hosting powerhouse Junipero Serra High School next Tuesday, February 28th, at Moody Field. First pitch 3:30 p.m. Go Giants!

Images can be accessed via:  http://www.jordanwarren.photography/p694955538