For the first six innings on Wednesday afternoon, Dougherty Valley’s offense was stymied, limited to two hits by Foothill ace Brett Hansen. But Hansen, after throwing 95 pitches in the first six innings, was replaced in the bottom of the seventh inning, and the Wildcats took full advantage, rallying for a dramatic, 3-2 walk-off victory in East Bay Athletic League action.
Foothill took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning, when Sam Novitske doubled with two outs to score Ryan Stemplinger. The Falcons added to their lead in the top of the seventh, when Owen Camp scored on a wild pitch with two outs, giving Foothill a 2-0 lead, with the Wildcats down to their final three outs.
Josh Robinson replaced Hansen to start the seventh, and promptly gave up singles to William Brega and Ryan Grove, placing the tying run on base. Robinson was then lifted for James Kroll, who retired the next two batters, bringing Foothill within one out of a victory. Jesse Barron delayed those plans, however, doubling to score Brega and cut the deficit to one run.
With runners on second and third, Foothill elected to intentionally walk Bobby Martinez, to set up the force play with one out, but Xavier Coleman spoiled those plans. After fouling off three straight pitches, Coleman singled through the infield to left, allowing Grove and Brandon Louie – who was running for Barron – to race home with the winning runs.
Dillon De France earned the win in relief for Dougherty Valley, pitching two and two-thirds innings after replacing starter Nick Gonsalves. With the win, Dougherty Valley improved to 12-4, 2-3 in the EBAL, while Foothill dropped to 12-3 overall, 4-2 in league play.
Dougherty Valley faces Amador Valley on Friday, while Foothill takes on San Ramon Valley.
Gavello’s shot lifts Monte Vista to walk-off victory
With two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, in a scoreless game against Amador Valley, Monte Vista’s Tom Gavello used one swing of the bat to end the game, and send his teammates pouring out of the dugout to celebrate a 2-0 victory over the Dons.
Following a Sam Mink single, which also came with two outs, Gavello watched the first pitch for a strike, but turned on the second offering, homering to right field for the walk-off victory. The dramatic finish was fitting for a game which featured two elite pitching performances.
Josh White pitched the first seven innings for the Mustangs, allowing just one hit while striking out nine. Ben Clark pitched a perfect eighth inning for Monte Vista to earn the win. Jack Snook pitched the first six innings for Amador Valley, allowing one hit while striking out five. Shane Cancilla took the loss for the Dons, allowing just the two hits at the end of the eighth inning.
O’Dowd explodes in seventh to down Berkeley
For the first six innings, Bishop O’Dowd’s lineup could not get to Berkeley starter Justice Paraiso-Caceres. That all changed in the top of the seventh, as the Dragons turned a one-run deficit into a 5-1 victory.
O’Dowd trailed 1-0 headed into the seventh, but got their leadoff batter on base despite Mays Washington striking out, the eighth strikeout of the game for Paraiso-Caceres. Washington reached on a dropped third strike, and the Dragons had runners on first and second after Wyatt Thompson was hit by a pitch. Adam Bail then laid down a bunt single, which resulted in Washington coming all the way around to score and tied the game.
After Tyler Manca laid down another bunt single to load the bases with no outs, Kaine Montez singled to left field, giving the Dragons their first lead of the game. Matthias Haas’ ground ball to shortstop resulted in another run, and Liam Rizzo extended the lead to 4-1 with his sacrifice fly to right field. Montez scored the final run of the inning when P Carney’s bunt back to the mound resulted in another error.
Berkeley fell to 13-2 with the loss, while O’Dowd improved to 9-7. The two teams play again this Friday.
Thompson struck out nine and scattered six hits for the Dragons to earn the victory.
Dublin dominates for win over San Ramon Valley
Sophomore Nick Costello sparked the lineup with four hits, two stolen bases, and three runs scored from his spot at the top of the order, and Jack Nielsen struck out five while allowing just three hits, allowing Dublin to cruise past San Ramon Valley for the 10-1 victory.
Zach Rivera and Cole McMahon each registered scoreless stints of relief pitching for the Gaels, who handed the Wolves their fourth straight loss. Sam Gilliam and Brandon Greim also had two hits each for Dublin, while Nielsen drove in three runs. Dublin has now won seven of its last eight games.
