Saratoga News

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Saratoga's Kota Takamoto dives back safely into second ahead of the Lynbrook throw. Takamoto was safe, but the Falcons lost 4-1 to the Vikings.

Thirty-three hits not enough

Saratoga wins one of three

By Dick Sparrer

Thirty-three hits spread over three games... should be good for at least a couple of wins, right?

Well, that's what Saratoga baseball coach Mike Machado would have thought.

But his Falcons pounded out 33 hits last week, and they could bring home just one victory--and it was a nonleague win at that.

The Falcons had nailed their first win of the season when they blasted 20 hits in a nonleague victory over Santa Cruz last week, but they spread just 13 hits over the next two games when they lost to Santa Clara and Lynbrook in the first round of the season in the El Camino Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League.

Saratoga actually ripped 10 hits against the Vikings, but could manage just one run in the 4-1 loss.

Derek Cartmell drilled three hits to lead the Saratoga offensive attack in the loss to the Vikings. David Goni and Kota Takamoto slapped two hits apiece in the game, and Kyle Cardin slapped a double.

Lynbrook scored in the top of the first before Saratoga tied it 1-1 in the bottom of the frame. But the Vikings scored two more in the third and one in the sixth to clinch the win.

It had gone much the same way a day earlier when the Falcons lost 4-1 to Santa Clara. This time it was the Falcons scoring first with a run in the second, but the Bruins tied it in the third, then grabbed the lead with two runs in the fourth and one in the fifth.

Nick Blue doubled to lead a three-hit assault for the Falcons.

Saratoga had opened the week with a 22-8 win over Santa Cruz.

Troy Cardin led the offensive show with a home run and a double to plate three runs for the winners.

Goni tripled and singled twice to drive in four runs for the Falcons, and Cardin singled and doubled to knock in four.

Takamoto doubled and singled twice for Saratoga, and Cartmell had three hits. Mike Black had two runs to drive in three runs, and Trent Frisina drove in a pair of runs.

Bret Miller was the winning pitcher for the Falcons.

Saratoga led 3-1 after an inning, then broke the game open with five run in the second and 10 in the third.

Saratoga got off to a rocky start this season with two losses in the Charlie Rose Tournament.

The Falcons were pounded 16-3 by Carmel and lost 13-1 to St. Francis.

Takamoto clubbed three hits to lead an eight-hit attack in the loss to Carmel to open the tournament. K. Cardin and Frisina chipped in with two hits apiece, and Adam Varteressian added a double.

Frisina came back with two hits, but Saratoga lost 13-1 to St. Francis. The Falcons had just four hits as a team in the game.