Santa Teresa scores six in fifth to run away 11-1
MORGAN HILL — Going into Tuesday’s round of Mount Hamilton Division baseball games, Live Oak was one of only three teams still in contention for winning a series against the first-place Santa Teresa Saints.
If that wasn’t enough reason for Santa Teresa to pour it on at Sarich Field, the Acorns’ rally-happy reputation was. The visiting Saints left nothing to chance, scoring six runs in the fifth inning to win 11-1 and take the season series two games to one.
Barring a collapse, Santa Teresa (18-3 overall, 12-3 league) appears destined to become the first team not named Live Oak to win the Mount Hamilton championship in two years. The Saints have won six straight and wield a commanding four-game lead over Live Oak and Leigh with seven division contests remaining.
Ranked No. 14 by the San Jose Mercury News, the Acorns (15-9, 8-7) are still on solid ground for finishing in the top four and making the CIF-Central Coast Section playoffs. They have six league games left, starting with Thursday’s matchup at Branham.
Playing as the home team Tuesday, Santa Teresa churned in a dozen hits, including a triple and a grand slam by Zach Jones, who collected five RBIs.
Against Acorns starter Rich Martinez (4-4), Santa Teresa built a 5-0 lead before Tony Austin drove in Gabriel Mancias in the third for Live Oak’s only run.
The Acorns mustered three hits: a double by Alika Bantilan and singles by Austin and Blake Zerr.
Sophomore Spencer Koopmans (5-3) got the win.
