TROJAN BASEBALL NEWS:
Skyline wins in dramatic fashion
Skyline headed into its final at bat Wednesday trailing 2-1 to winless Contra Costa, but came up big with a four-run eighth. Nine Trojans batted in the inning, with the big hit coming from freshman designated hitter Lucciano Molina - a two-run single past a drawn-in infield - as the Trojans went on to a 5-2 victory at Skyline Diamond.
Trojans right-hander Daniel Morales earned the win in relief. The freshman was solid through three scoreless innings, allowing two hits while striking out two, to improve his record to 2-1. Contra Costa starter James McReynolds allowed just one hit through his first five innings, but labored into the eighth to take a hard-luck loss.
After Contra Costa plated a run in the first, Skyline got on the board in the second to tie it 1-1. Dabian Canales lashed a two-out double off the right-field wall, then later scored on an infield error.
Contra Costa jumped back ahead in the sixth against Skyline starter Sean Collins. After a one-out double, Lamar Smith came through with an RBI single to left. But, Collins buckled down to finish the inning with a pivotal strikeout to strand Smith at third.
In his first collegiate start, Collins went six strong, allowing two runs on three hits, while striking out three against one walk.
Skyline batted around in the eighth to win in dramatic fashion though. Ismael Orozco starting the inning with a single to center. Robin Lausen followed with an intended sacrifice bunt that went for a single, advancing Orozco to second. Merrick Belding followed with a bunt that resulted in an errant throw, allowing Orozco to score the tying run, with Lausen advancing to third and Belding to second. After a pitching change, Molina delivered a single on the first pitch he saw to give Skyline a 4-2 lead. Molina later scored on a wild pitch to cap the day's scoring.
Interesting notes: Morales has notched three decisions in three relief appearances this season. The Trojans utilized three consecutive pinch hitters in the eighth - Joey Carney, Cory Faubel, and Alex Cordova - all three of which have been regular starters through the first week of the season. Freshman catcher Michael Thompson was 1 for 2, but reached base in each of his four plate appearances. Thompson also nailed a would-be base stealer in the eighth inning, and has thrown out four steal attempts through Skyline's first five games.
Contra Costa (0-4) 100 001 000 - 2 5 5
Skyline (2-3) 010 000 04x - 5 6 0
McReynolds, Philipsheck (8) and Currie; Collins, Morales (7) and Thompson.
W - Morales (2-1) L - McReynolds (0-2)
Multi-hit: None. RBIs: Contra Costa - Young, Smith. Skyline - Molina 2.
Time: 2:06
Skyline drops opener to Medoncino
Skyline (0-1) looked to be firing on all cylinders in the early innings in its opening-day matchup against Mendocino at Skyline Diamond.
The Trojans jumped on the board in the first inning and later extended its lead to 4-0. However, the bullpen faltered in the late innings, and Mendocino capitalized to overtake Skyline in the eighth inning en route to a 6-4 victory.
Mendocino (2-2) scored twice in the pivotal eighth, as cleanup hitter Luis Bressoud doubled home Anthony Calton to tie it 5-5. Then, with two outs and Bressoud at third base, Tanner Mansell hit a slow chopper to the backhand of Trojans shortstop Ismael Orozco and legged it out for an RBI infield single, giving Mendocino a 5-4 lead. The Eagles later added an insurance run in the ninth.
Skyline started Bryan Hidalgo was nails through five innings. The freshman debuted with a five-inning effort, allowing no runs on three hits, while striking out one against one walk.
Hidalgo gave way to sophomore Nick Paton to start the sixth. But, Paton was not sharp, surrendering three runs in one inning of work. Freshman right-hander Daniel Morales (0-1) took the loss in three innings of work, allowing three runs on seven hits. Mendocino reliever Cameron Abrams earned the win with a stellar outing, allowing just one base runner over four innings.
Joey Carney got Skyline on the board in the first when the freshman deposited the first collegiate pitch he ever saw over the right-field fence for a two-run home run. Carney extended the lead in the third with an RBI single to plate Cory Faubel, and later scored on an RBI single by freshman Lance Montano.