Offense and defense was working for Live Oak in 10-1 win over
Hollister
HOLLISTER – It may have been the first game of the league schedule, but the Acorns were in midseason form after a 10-1 defeat of the Balers Wednesday afternoon.
After relying heavily on an unshakable defense last season, the Acorns have put together both the offense and defense this year.
“I didn’t know how we would respond after the tournament last weekend,” said Live Oak coach Mark Cummins. “We had a positive attitude at the plate and had some good swings and some good situational hitting. We had some timely hitting which we hadn’t gotten earlier in the season.”
Ryan Muller (3-1) went the distance for the Acorns. Muller, who struck out 20 against Santa Clara last week, struck out just six but used his defense behind him to the full extent.
Last time the two teams met, Hollister eliminated Live Oak from the Central Coast Section playoffs with a walkoff home run. Live Oak out hit Hollister 10-4 Wednesday.
“It was kind of ironic because early in the game they would hit the ball hard and it be an out,” said Hollister coach and Live Oak graduate Neal Andrade. “When they had that little flare, it would drop in for them.”
“It looks they have improved a lot offensively since last year,” added Andrade, who is in his third year with the Balers. “Last year their pitching and defense was solid and kept them in ball games.”
The defense was perfect for Live Oak, while Hollister committed three errors. Two of the errors were on singles hit by the Acorns that rolled through the outfielders’ legs.
The only run of the game for the Balers came off a solo blast to left field by Eric Diaz Jr. in the first inning. It doesn’t take much for a batter to hit it out against Muller if he can catch up to his heat. With a fastball clocked in the 90s and a nasty curve ball, Muller is a tough pitcher to face. Catcher Chase Perez did a good job behind the plate receiving the heat.
“When Ryan’s pitching, he’s going to be around the plate,” Cummins said. “He didn’t strike as many batters out today. Sometimes it is kind of tough to play behind him because it is easy to get on your heals, thinking he will strike everyone out. When the ball gets to you, you get kind of surprised.”
Kyle Bennett is scheduled to pitch today in the rematch at Live Oak. If the rain storm arrives as expected, the Balers could face Muller again in a makeup game.
“I told the players it was a great win and let’s enjoy that,” Cummins said. “But Hollister is going to come to us on Friday ready to play.”
“We don’t get to carry any of the runs over,” Cummins added. “The score is 0-0. That game on Friday is a pivotal game for us if we can knock them back a couple games.”
Live Oak responded to the lone Hollister run that temporarily put the Balers ahead with a three-spot in the top of the second inning.
Sean Nourie led off the inning with a base hit, and Bennett knocked him in with a double down the left-field line to tie the game. Perez, who was hit by a pitch, and Bennett scored on a single by Daniel Watson and an error by the right fielder.
It appeared it would remain at 3-1 until Live Oak was able to break the game open with three runs in the fifth inning and four runs in the sixth.
David Newton led off the fifth inning with a base hit over the third baseman’s head and advanced on a hit by Scott Hayslip and an error by the left fielder. Newton scored on a passed ball that bounced off catcher Tony Synegal’s mask.
Both Muller and Andrew Cummins were issued intentional walks. Perez golfed in a single up the middle for two more runs.
In the sixth inning, Bryan Jones knocked in Newton, who was hit by a pitch. Hayslip scored on a first-pitch double by Muller. Nourie’s roller through the shortstop’s legs allowed two more to score.
Hollister had its chances though. In the fifth inning down 6-1, the Balers loaded the bases with two outs. But Muller got Nick Ramos to ground out after throwing a pair of curve balls to put him in an 0-2 count.
“They swing the bat pretty well,” Cummins said. “They hit the ball well off Ryan today. They have a good solid baseball team.”
The two teams meet two more times this season.
Live Oak 030 034 0 – 10 10 0
Hollister 100 000 0 – 1 4 3
LO – Muller and Perez. H – Diaz Jr., Fulgoni (6) and Synegal. WP -Muller (3-1). LP – Diaz, Jr. (2-2). 2B – Hayslip, Muller, Bennett (LO). HR – Diaz Jr. (H). 2 hits – Hayslip (LO). 2 RBI – Perez (LO).
