3/30:  The last memory the Giants have of Albert Park is the dramatic walk off win last year for the NCS title when players and fans mobbed Senior Adam Hussain between first and second base. The Varsity Giants were undefeated at Albert Park under coach Mike Firenzi.  However, the Serra Padres from San Mateo brought a taste of West Catholic League Baseball to Marin County Wednesday night and handed Firenzi and the Giants their second loss of the season in a non-conference game.

“They are a good club.  They are well coached and play solid fundamental baseball.  They run well and take extra bases, field, and hit the ball.  Plus, they have a starting line-up full of very talented players.”  Firenzi said after the game.  “We got beat tonight, I would have rather the score was 6-0, but a loss is still a loss.”

Zack Kopstein took his first loss of the year, giving up four earned runs while striking out eight Padre hitters in his 5 1/3 innings of work.  Parker Bartlett closed out the game for the Giants, giving up two earned runs but striking out two in his 1 2/3 innings.  All told, Kopstein and Bartlett combined for ten strike-outs.  The Giants only struck out five times at the plate, but Serra’s defense answered the call as they committed no errors.

Offensively, Redwood scratched and clawed out five hits, with the ‘Brothers Cohen’ (Zach and Josh) combining for three.  Nicolas Belgum and Eric Doctor each added a notch in the hit column.  However, the offensive story of the day was Serra’s Hunter Bishop.  Bishop led off the top of the fifth inning with Serra leading 4-0.  Bishop was responsible for knocking in three of the four Padre runs with a two-run single in the top of the first and a one-run single in the third.  Hunter hit a shot into the left-center gap that trundled through the softball field and by the time the ball made it back to the infield after an errant throw, Bishop had already crossed the plate for his fourth RBI of the night-himself.  Bishop ended the night going 4-4 with four RBI’s and two runs scored.

The Giants will try to rebound and remain undefeated in the MCAL with their upcoming game against Branson on the road on Friday.