ROHNERT PARK, CA - Rancho Cotate got out to an early lead and then held on from there, beating Cardinal Newman 4-2 in an early North Bay League contest on Monday afternoon.
Seniors Jared Zang and Justin Thomas combined to allow just four hits, after being staked to a 4-0 lead after two innings. Zang struck out six batters in four and one-third innings, while Thomas struck out four in his two and two-thirds innings.
Senior Mason Heinse struck one of the big blows early for the Cougars, as he tripled and scored a run. Michael Bartolozzi also drove in a run for Rancho, while Thomas, Zang, and junior Wyatt Vogt all scored in the early innings.
Rancho Cotate improved to 2-1, 1-0 NBL with the victory, while Cardinal Newman fell to 0-2, 0-1. Newman hosts San Ramon Valley on Tuesday, while Rancho hosts Will C Wood-Vacaville on Wednesday.