Saratoga News

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Saratoga's Nick Blue, called out on this play during the regular varsity season, scored three times to help the Rangers to a 13-3 Colt League win over Willow Glen.

Rangers win, and win big

Saratoga opens with an easy win

By Dick Sparrer

It was a slow start for the Saratoga Rangers.

The Saratoga club was opening the summer Colt League season against Willow Glen, and the Rangers found themselves trailing 3-1 after 112 innings. But the Rangers turned things up a notch. And they ended up turning that slow start into a rather fast finish, rolling to a 13-3 win over Willow Glen in just five innings.

Saratoga broke the game open with eight runs in the bottom of the second, and ended up winning the game on the 10-run rule with three runs in the home half of the fourth.

Brett Miller and Adam Varteressian teamed to toss a six-hitter for the Rangers in the win. Miller struck out six in just four innings of work to get the win. He was touched for all six hits in the four frames, but only one of the three runs he allowed was earned.

It was Willow Glen that started the game fast. Kevin Cardenas doubled and scored on a single by Scott Vanderpool to give the visitors the early lead.

But the Rangers answered back with a run of their own. Nick Blue walked to open the game and stole both second and third. Michael Drew followed with a run-scoring single to tie the game.

Willow Glen came right back, though, with two runs to take the lead. Jackson Schill walked but was forced at second on an infield chopper by Brian Roy. Roy stole second before Derek Bailiff walked. Both runs scored when Cardenas reached on an error.

That's when the Rangers turned things up a notch. Saratoga batted around in the second to rally for eight runs to take command of the game. And most of the damage occurred with two outs.

It started quietly enough when Luke Alioto drew a one-out walk. He swiped second, but an out later was still on second.

Miller walked before Blue walked to load the bases. Drew followed with his second hit in as many innings to drive in two runs.

Derek Cartmell walked to fill the bags again. Blue scored, and the other runners moved up on a passed ball.

With Saratoga up just 4-3, Robin Gill dealt Willow Glen a tough blow with a two-run single. Matt Joyce reached on an error before Gill scored on another passed ball to up Saratoga's lead to 7-3.

But the Rangers weren't finished yet. Brady Moran walked and stole second before Alioto ripped a two-run single to left.

Miller worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the third, and Saratoga picked up another run in the bottom of the frame. Blue reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and ended up scoring on an overthrow.

Miller had his first perfect inning in the fourth when he put down Willow Glen one-two-three. The Rangers stretched their lead to 10 runs with three more in the fourth.

Gill walked and stole second to open the fourth. He scored when Joyce reached on an error. Moran walked, and both runners worked their way around the bases on errors and a passed ball.

Varteressian took over for Miller in the fifth and had little trouble nailing down the win. One runner reached on a one-out error, but he put down the final two hitters on a strikeout and a comebacker to clinch the win.

Drew had two hits for Saratoga in the win, and Gill and Alioto added a hit each. The Rangers had just four hits but took advantage of nine walks, a hit batsman and three errors to claim the easy win. Blue scored three runs for the winners, and Gill and Joyce scored two each.

Vanderpool had two hits for Willow Glen and Cardenas doubled. Bailiff, Mike Nakamura and Kevin Sparrer each singled to round out the six-hit attack in the loss.

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