A doubleheader sweep over the visiting San Jose Braves at Live
Oak High last weekend boosted the Morgan Hill Mudcats semi-pro
baseball team
’s record above .500 for the season. In the first game, MH piled
up 14 hits in a 14-1 victory.
A doubleheader sweep over the visiting San Jose Braves at Live Oak High last weekend boosted the Morgan Hill Mudcats semi-pro baseball team’s record above .500 for the season.
In the first game, MH piled up 14 hits in a 14-1 victory.
The Mudcats were led by Jon Michael Porras, who made his debut for the local team a memorable one by collecting a pair of hits, including a home run, with two RBIs and three runs scored.
MH’s James Molina also went 3-for-4 and scored two runs, while Chalo Naranjo added a homer and scored three runs. Adam Ferguson, also debuting as a Mudcat, was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs.
Mudcats Nick Larice and Naranjo slammed back-to-back homers in Game 1, which was called after 4 1/2 innings due to the 10-run rule.
Mudcat starter Adam Paredes picked up his second win of the season, striking out seven in his five innings of work.
In the nightcap, the Braves were more competitive behind a strong pitching performance that held the Mudcats to just five hits.
Fortunately for the Mudcats, former Gavilan and University of Hawaii-Hilo star Bobby Howard tossed a two-hitter of his own, allowing a single unearned run in picking up the 2-1 victory.
Former Purdue Boilermaker Dave Dion was 2-for-3 in the game, while Porras scored both Mudcat runs.
MH tallied the winning run in the fifth inning. Porras singled with one out, moved to second on a failed pickoff attempt, and moved to third on Ferguson’s flyball to center. Porras scored when the Braves rightfielder misplayed a Molina flyball.
The Mudcats took the early lead in the top of the second when Porras walked, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Ferguson’s sharp single to center.
But San Jose tied the game up in the bottom of the inning.
Howard turned back a Braves rally in the bottom of the seventh, and final, inning to preserve the win.
After walking the leadoff batter, Howard gave up a single to the next hitter to put runners on first and second with no out.
But Howard induced a double-play ground ball to Ferguson at shortstop, leaving a runner on third with two outs. And, the ex-collegiate standout Howard successfully secured the win on a ground ball to third baseman Molina.
There are no games this weekend but MH will return to play at the Seaside Bombers on July 10, then host the Union City Yankees on July 17.
