Almaden Resident
Sports
Pioneer says, 'Let's play two,' then splits a pair with Eagles
By Bob Scudder
Chicago Cub Hall of Famer Ernie Banks was quoted as saying, "It's a great day for a ballgame. Let's play two!"
It wasn't warm and sunny last Thursday, but it wasn't raining either. So, with the way the weather has played havoc with the baseball schedule this spring, it was a great day for a ballgame--or two, as the Pioneer Mustangs and Oak Grove Eagles played a rare high school doubleheader.
The two teams squared off and split a pair of Blossom Valley Athletic League Mt. Hamilton Division games in the twin bill. Pioneer (9-5, 5-5) claimed a 5-1 victory in the opener and Oak Grove (9-5, 6-4) came back to take a 5-2 win in game two.
Although Oak Grove was able to push across a run in the first inning in the opener, Pioneer's Andy Wright said no more and shut the door on the Eagles the rest of the way. Wright kept the Eagle batters off balance as he struck out 11 and allowed only three hits in his complete game performance. The win improved his season mark to 5-1.
The Mustangs tied the score in the third on some clutch hitting by Steven Muirhead and Eddie Hsieh. Muirhead slapped a two-out single to left and then with some heads up base running scampered into second when the left fielder bobbled the ball. Hsieh followed with a single to knock in Muirhead and knot the score at 1-1.
Pioneer went ahead to stay with a big offensive surge in the top of the fourth. Chris Foley got things rolling with a lead-off base knock. Michael Schulz ripped a double that sent Foley to third and set the table for Scott Lowry. He shot a single to the outfield that brought both Foley and Schulz home. Jon Silva picked up the final RBI of the inning by driving in Lowry with a fielder's choice.
The Mustangs added an insurance run in the sixth off the legs and speed of left fielder Shaun Souza. After he punched a single, Souza stole both second and third and then raced home on a passed ball to put Pioneer up 5-1 which is how it ended.
In game two the Mustangs seemed to lose the intensity and focus that was evident in game one. The results were a rash of mental and physical mistakes both offensively and defensively that gave Oak Grove its runs and prevented Pioneer from scoring some of its own.
Pioneer was trailing 4-0 in the fifth before it got on the board. Matt Montelongo and Foley led off with back to back doubles with Foley picking up the RBI. It looked like the Mustangs might get back in the game before Foley was picked off second for out number one and then Michael Rudolf and Ryan Gall went quietly to close out the inning.
In the sixth, Pioneer hit the ball hard but got nothing to show for it. Lowry lifted a long fly to right center that was just out of the reach of the out-stretched glove of the Eagle center fielder. Lowry cruised into second for a lead-off double and the Mustang dugout came alive. Derek Clark blasted a line drive shot that was snagged by the diving shortstop who then flipped to second to double off Lowry. Muirhead rifled a bullet right at the third baseman, who fielded it cleanly and fired to first for the third out. Just like that, the inning was over and another goose egg went on the board for Pioneer.
The Mustangs' hopes soared again when Hsieh opened the seventh with a soaring blast that cleared the left center field fence for a lead-off home run. Souza worked his way on with a base on balls and Montelongo fought off a tough two-strike pitch to drop a short fly into center field for a base hit. The potential rally died quickly when the Eagles pulled off a game ending double-play two batters later.
Junior Garret Lewis was on the mound in the second game and turned in a solid outing, going the distance and working his way out of several jams.
Consistency has been elusive for the Mustangs so far this season in their maiden voyage in the Mt. Hamilton Division. The weather has created problems but coach Jake Hernandez knows that things must change if his team is going to be able to compete in the "A" division. "We are just average right now and just going through the motions. We need to pick it up," he said.
The Mustangs will have the opportunity to do that as they continue league play at Branham on April 13 at 3:30 p.m. before taking time off from league action with a noon game with Monta Vista on April 22. Division competition resumes with Pioneer hosting Leland on April 26 in a 3:30 p.m. start.
