The Willow Glen Resident

Young Rams win opener

First inning, bases loaded, no outs

It was a perfect start to a new season in a brand-new league. At least, that's what Willow Glen frosh-soph baseball Dennis Hatfield thought.

When the Rams finished the inning without scoring a run, Hatfield had to wonder.

But in the end things worked out for Willow Glen. The Rams came on strong to nail a 4-3 win over Pioneer in their first game in the Mt. Hamilton Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League

It didn't start out so well, but it finished up just fine, thanks to the efforts of sophomore right-hander Greg Mansfield. The big hurler was masterful on the mound, tossing a four-hitter for the Rams. Mansfield struck out only two but walked just three. Only one of Pioneer's four hits left the infield, a sixth-inning single to left by Mike Wiens.

David Macchi led a 10-hit attack for the Rams with three singles. He also stole a base and scored a run for Willow Glen.

The Rams were locked in a 2-2 through four innings when Steve Klein's two-out single to right-center knocked in Steve Maldonado with a run. Maldonado was aboard on a double to left-center.

The Rams added an insurance run in the sixth. Fred Brown walked, moved to third on a single by Macchi and scored on an error.

It was an insurance run the Rams needed. Wiens singled to open the home half of the sixth, stole second and moved to third on a pop fly behind first. He scored when Landers Niven beat out an infield single.

Niven stole second, but was doubled off the bag after Gabe Candelaria made a diving catch in center and tossed to Macchi at second for an inning-ending out.

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