3/8: The Varsity Giants defeated perennial powerhouse Monte Vista for the second year in a row today on the road in Danville. The Giants were not intimidated by the Mustangs starting pitcher, the imposing 6’7″ senior Jackson Ertz, who weighs in at over 200 pounds and boasts a plus fastball.
Oliver Pearson would notch his second win in his career against the Mustangs who lost in the D1 Championship game vs. De La Salle last year. Pearson was magical on the mound, yielding one unearned run on three hits while striking out six and walking just one in six and two-thirds innings of work. Jackson Bender was called out of the pen and struck out the only batter he faced, securing the win for Redwood.
Redwood scored in the top of the third after a one out single by Josh Cohen was followed by a single to center by Anthony Pomilia, advancing Cohen to third. Pascal Brassey knocked Cohen home with a single to left taking the Giants to the bottom of the frame up 1-0. Monte Vista answered after a hit batter advanced to second on a passed ball was followed by a two-out single to first that plated the runner from second, taking the game to the fourth inning with the score tied, 1-1.
The Giants offense broke the tie in the top of the sixth when Pascal Brassey led off the inning with a shot up the middle. Mackie Skall walked and after a strikeout, Luke Zlatunich doubled to center, scoring Brassey. Michael Connors dropped a perfect bunt for a single, scoring Skall, putting the Giants up 3-1. Dane Goodman knocked in Zlatunich on a hard grounder to short. After Goodman stole second, the inning would end with runners on second and third with the score 4-1 in favor of the Giants.
After Pearson made quick work of the Mustangs in the bottom of the sixth, Josh Cohen led off the top of the seventh with a double to left. Anthony Pomilia took one for the team and took first after being hit by a pitch. Pascal Brassey dropped a bunt that was thrown away, scoring Cohen and Pomilia, putting the Giants up 6-1. Jack Morken singled to left and after two outs, Michael Connors roped a clutch base hit to center, plating Brassey for Redwood’s seventh run of the game.
Pearson earned the win on the mound while being supporting by ten Giants hits and no errors in the field. Anthony Pomilia and Luke Zlatunich had hits while Pascal Brassey, Jack Morken, Michael Connors and Josh Cohen added two hits apiece. Connors knocked in two, Goodman, Brassey and Zlatunich knocked in one.
The Giants square off against James Logan on the road next.