ROHNERT PARK, CA - For the second straight outing, the formula was pretty simple for Heritage senior pitcher Bryson Kinnick - get ahead in the count, throw to preferred contact, and go the distance. Kinnick tossed his second straight shutout for the Patriots, who traveled north to beat Rancho Cotate, 3-0.
The senior right-hander struck out just three batters, but scattered five hits, two each from Mason Heinse and Saul Razo. Meanwhile, Heritage (3-0) was also limited to just five hits against Rancho Cotate starter Justin Thomas, but eked out single runs in the first, fourth, and seventh innings to earn the victory.
The eventual game-winning run occurred before an out was recorded in the game, as Chaz Myers led the game off with a double for the Patriots, and Keith Jones drove the first pitch he saw into left field for a run-scoring single. Thomas did not allow a runner past first base in each of the next two innings, as Cougars' catcher Connor Harris threw out a pair of would-be base-stealers.
Rancho (3-2) put together its best threat in the bottom of the third, after singles by Thomas and Heinse resulted in runners at second and third, but Kinnick induced a pop up to Myers at second base to end the threat. Heritage then added to its lead in the top of the fourth, and it all happened with two outs. Oscar Murray was hit by a pitch, took second on a passed ball, and scored on Steve Kerr's single to left.
Thomas went six-plus innings for Rancho Cotate, striking out three. In addition to scattering five hits, Kinnick did not walk anyone and threw first-pitch strikes to 19 of the 25 hitters he faced.
