DANVILLE - Monte Vista senior Josh White did not get much run support in his start Friday against California. He did not need much either, as he made a single run in the bottom of the third inning stand up for a 1-0 victory over the Grizzlies.
Senior Jake Brandel delivered what would turn out to be the game-winning hit, singling up the middle with two outs in the bottom of the third to score John Meyers after Tom Gavello had walked to move Meyers into scoring position. That would be all White would need, as the Cal commit delivered a two-hit gem, striking out 10 in a fantastic complete game effort.
White retired the side in order in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. California got a glimmer of hope when Eric Pardo singled to lead off the top of the seventh, but White helped himself with some strong defense, snagging a line drive back to the mound and doubling Pardo off first. He then induced a ground ball to third base to end the game.
The senior righty did not issue a walk and needed just 82 pitches for the complete game effort. His dominance spoiled a solid start by the Grizzlies' Cole Chimenti, who allowed just four hits and one run in five innings on the mound, followed by a hitless inning in relief from Ryan Rissas.
Ann Sobrato sweeps Oak Grove
Oak Grove entered this week unbeaten in BVAL-Santa Teresa action, having won its first eight league games. Now, the Eagles find themselves a game behind Ann Sobrato in the loss column after the Bulldogs swept this week's two-game set, using a three-hit gem from junior pitcher Justin Rashid for a 4-0 victory on Friday.
Rashid struck out six and also helped himself at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a run driven in. The big bats for Sobrato came from the Callison family, as junior Cooper and freshman Shane had three hits each and combined to score all four runs.
Los Gatos blasts Saratoga
Junior Ryan Nelson allowed just three hits in six innings, while Brennan King and Tommy Troy led a steady attack at the plate for Los Gatos in a 12-0 win over Saratoga.
Nelson struck out five and did not issue a walk in a dominant performance, while King and Troy had three hits each. Troy doubled and tripled, while King drove in three runs. The pair also combined to score six runs. Nelson helped his own cause with two hits and two RBIs, while sophomore Kai Hori cleared the bases with his lone hit of the game, a three-run double.
Dublin shakes off early deficit
Host Dublin shook off an early two-run deficit, scoring twice in each the third and fifth innings to post a key 4-3 win over Granada in EBAL action.
Grant Manning allowed two earned runs during a strong five and two-thirds innings start, while Ethan Lee earned the save for the Gaels, facing the minimum four batters to slam the door on the Matadors. Nick Costello led the attack at the plate, going 2-for-2 with an RBI triple and scoring twice.
Anthony Tokunaga added a two-hit day for the Gaels, also scoring twice, as he and Costello accounted for all of Dublin's scoring. Manning helped himself with a two-run single, while Cole McMahon also drove in a run with his lone hit of the game.
