With their 7-6 loss in eight innings to the Leland Chargers on
Friday in San Jose, the Acorns joined the peloton of Mount Hamilton
Division teams scrapping for position in the section-playoff
race
SAN JOSE — Live Oak’s baseball season has come full circle once again.
With their 7-6 loss in eight innings to the Leland Chargers on Friday in San Jose, the Acorns joined the peloton of Mount Hamilton Division teams scrapping for position in the section-playoff race.
One of the most exciting and even-keeled seasons in recent history has come to this: Live Oak, Westmont, Leigh and Sobrato, each 8-8 in league play, trail first-place Santa Teresa by five games with two weeks left in the regular season. Santa Teresa is one victory away from clinching at least a share of the Mount Hamilton title and one of four automatic playoff berths allotted to the division.
The other three spots are up for grabs.
The sixth-place Chargers (12-14 overall, 7-10 league) hampered Live Oak’s cause while helping their own. Leland broke a 1-1 tie with three runs in the second inning and pushed ahead 6-2 in the fourth. The Acorns scored three runs in the fifth to make it 6-5 before tying it in the seventh.
Gabriel Mancias belted a solo home run, his first of the season, and Rich Martinez tripled and drove in three runs for Live Oak (15-10). Alika Bantilan scored and went 2-for-4 batting.
Acorns closer Connor Sutton (7-3) worked five stalwart innings. He surrendered seven hits, but only three runs.
Trevor Marino (2-1) got the win in relief and played a vital part of Leland’s offense, collecting an RBI and three hits. Taylor Ronsvalle scored three times and doubled twice, and Vinnie Gemette finished 2 for 2 with two RBIs for the Chargers, who totaled a dozen hits.
Live Oak will open a two-game home stand Monday against Pioneer. The Acorns on Wednesday will host Westmont.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Tuesday’s print edition states Live Oak plays Westmont on Thursday. They, for sure, will play Wednesday at Live Oak High School.
