LOS ALTOS, CA - Aaron Parker's sixth-inning RBI single provided the eventual game winning run, as Los Altos prevailed against Cupertino on Wednesday afternoon, 3-2, in a SCVAL-De Anza contest.
The Eagles and Pioneers played some edge of your seat baseball as both teams were able to advance runners to third base in each of the first three innings, but could only score one run between the two. Cupertino struck first, in the first inning, as Los Altos hurler Ryan Baum gave up three consecutive hits, including a double to stake the Pioneers to a 1-0 lead. That lead held up until the fourth inning, as Baum was able to scatter Cupertino hits and limit damage until Los Altos (9-5, 2-3 SCVAL-De Anza) rallied.
Colin Homan walked to start things in the bottom of the fourth, and was replaced by pinch runner Nate Cardoso. Cardoso stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball. After a strikeout, Aaron Parker lifted a fly ball to right-center that scored Cardoso and made the score 1-1. With two outs, Baum was hit by a pitch and replaced with pinch runner George Fisher. Alex Reelfs came to bat and smashed a 2-2 pitch into deep center field, allowing Fisher to score to give Los Altos its first lead, 2-1.
The Eagles' got a critical insurance run in the sixth when Juan Angulo was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Parker came on again and singled Angulo home to make the score 3-1. In the last frame Baum looked for the complete game victory and got the first out via strikeout. After a walk, Cupertino (6-5, 1-4) bunted for a base hit, but a heads up play by Homan caught the lead runner rounding second for the second out.
Indifferent to the runner at first, the Eagle defense looked for the final out, and after allowing the Pioneers a meaningless run on a single, the final out was recorded via the old fashioned fielders choice. Baum went the distance for the Eagles and Los Altos did just enough against a very motivated Cupertino squad.
The two teams will meet again, at Cupertino, on Friday.
