James Thompson launches one from left field

After a rain out last Friday, the San Rafael Bulldogs visited Moody Field on Monday, April 25 for a make-up game. They came in barking loudly but went home with their tails between their legs. The JV offense, somewhat quiet of late, came alive against SR with a total of 11 hits, 3 walks, 4 stolen bases and 7 runs.

At first, the Giants were sluggish, as only Oliver Pearson produced a single in the first inning, and they allowed the Bulldogs one run in the top of the second. But in the bottom half of the frame, Sean McKenna, Josh Katz, Luke Zlatunich and James Thompson all had singles, with McKenna and Zlatunich also stealing bases, to give the Giants their first two runs.

Noah Arrick steals second

San Rafael collected a couple of hits in the third inning, putting men at first and second. But, as has been its habit, the JV coaching staff called a pick-off play and it was executed perfectly, erasing the lead runner. The Giants followed that up with two more outs and then returned to the plate for more hits and stolen bases: In the third, Noah Arrick singled and stole second, Sean McKenna singled and stole second, and Josh Katz singled. McKenna eventually scored on a Bulldog error.

In the fourth, San Rafael attempted a comeback with three hits and a run to start things off, and then attempted to steal third, an endeavor thwarted by a collective Redwood infield effort. Blake Cusick then crushed the rally, striking out the next batter and inducing a fly out to centerfielder Tyler Warren. In the bottom of the fourth, Zlatunich walked and stole second base, Thompson singled, Warren singled scoring Zlatunich, Arrick took first on a hit-by-pitch, Pearson singled scoring Warren and Wyatt McCullough (pinch running for Thompson), and Pearson stole second before the inning ended.

Josh Katz slides into third

With the Giants up 7-2, the Bulldogs dug in, plating three runs in the fifth and another in the sixth to make the game close in the seventh. Fortunately, it wasn’t enough, as Oliver Pearson came on for the save and quickly closed out the three Bulldog batters in the seventh inning, preserving the Giants’ win.

There were a lot of notable stats in this game, with many players stepping up to contribute. A great team effort! — Pearson (2 hits, 2 RBIs, 2 SB), Thompson (2 hits, 1 RBI), Katz (2 hits, 1 RBI, 1 run), Warren (1 hit, 1 RBI, 1 run), McKenna (1 hit, 1 RBI, 2 runs), Zlatunich (1 hit, 1 run, 1 SB) and Arrick (1 hit, 1 run, 1 SB) led the offense. And, of course, the pitching team of starter/winning pitcher Blake Cusick (4.1 IP), Tyler Warren (1.2 IP) and Oliver Pearson (1 IP, save) were terrific, combining for 10 Ks with just 5 hits allowed.