Live Oak scores three in 7th to turn back Pioneer
By John Power
Special to the Times
San Jose – Live Oak was extended Tuesday before remaining unbeaten in the Blossom Valley Athletic League Mt. Hamilton Division.
The Acorns (6-1-0 overall, 3-0 BVAL) scored three runs in the seventh to turn back Pioneer 4-1.
Live Oak scored two runs on a passed ball in the top of the seventh and added another on an RBI single by Cameron Willis.
The three runs broke a 1-1 tie, forged by the Mustangs in the sixth when they scored an unearned run off Live Oak pitcher Blaine Sutton in the bottom of the sixth.
Before the Mustangs scored, the only other Acorn run came in the first when Adam Perez drove in Stephen Smith from third after Perez had walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch.
After that the game turned into a pitcher’s duel as Sutton, who has yet to give up an earned run this season, kept the Mustangs hitters off-balance with his mixture of curve and fastballs. He also managed to get out of trouble when he needed.
Acorns coach Mark Cummins said having an early 1-0 lead was a boost to his team because they know when Sutton is pitching they don’t have to score a lot of runs.
“We know every time he is pitching, he is going to give us a great effort out there,” Cummins said.
The Acorns had their chances to score in the third, fourth and sixth innings, but they couldn’t get the clutch hit when they needed it. Cummins said that not being able to capitalize on their chances early on was frustrating for his team.
“A lot of times we were at plus counts, 2-0, 3-1, and we were getting jammed and hitting dribblers.” Cummins said. “We weren’t really taking good swings in those counts and were over-swinging.”
According to Cummins, his team’s slogan this year, which they have borrowed from the San Jose State University football team, is the tougher it gets the better we play.
After the Mustangs scored, Cummins reminded his players of their motto, as he didn’t want them to lose their focus or concentration.
Cummins’ speech seemed to inspire his team as they went out in the top of the seventh and scored three runs to secure the hard-earned victory.
He said to have a three-run lead was huge going into the last inning because his team no longer had to worry about the Mustangs trying to bunt or steal.
The Acorns collected seven hits and had one error. The Pioneers had five hits and one error.
Willis led Live Oak’s offense, going 2 for 4 with a single in the fourth and an RBI single in the seventh. Eddie Gomez also went 2 for 4 with two singles, one in the third and another in the seventh. Adam Perez had an RBI and Stephen Smith scored two runs.
Evergreen 6, Sobrato 2
San Jose – Unbeaten Evergreen Valley used a three-run fifth inning Wednesday to pull away from Sobrato and win their Blossom Valley Athletic League Santa Teresa Division encounter.
Billy Hill led the Bulldogs (1-2 overall and BVAL) with two hits, a walk and a run scored. Ryan Evanger had a hit and run scored. Tim Buich had a hit and RBI.
Evergreen Valley (4-0 overall, 3-0 BVAL) had eight hits in the game.
