Live Oak’s Rich Martinez has pitched some of his best games
against Sobrato but with few wins to show for them. His latest gem
left no room for disappointment
MORGAN HILL
Rich Martinez has pitched some of his best games against Sobrato but with few wins to show for them.
The Live Oak senior’s latest gem left no room for disappointment.
Martinez threw his first no-hitter at the high school level Thursday in the Acorns’ 2-0 victory over Sobrato at Sarich Field, an achievement that caught even the 6-foot right-handed ace by surprise.
“I was shocked when I heard it over the loudspeaker,” said Martinez, who reportedly became the first Live Oak pitcher in 17 years to throw a hitless complete game. “I wasn’t surprised — I always thought I could throw one. I was just happy to get another win.”
Martinez (2-5) was two errors and four baserunners away from perfection. He struck out eight, walked two and hit two batters.
Behind him, Live Oak (7-13, 4-11) snapped a four-game slide and avoided being swept by its crosstown rival in the three-game season series. The Acorns also spoiled the Bulldogs’ chance of a .500 record in league and overall play — prerequisites for the Central Coast Section playoffs.
“He was great, just hitting his spots and everything,” Acorns catcher Cody Van Aken said. “All his pitches were on. His curveball was breaking, and his fastball was going everywhere I hoped it would.
“I was really happy for him and just glad I was able to catch for him, but I was mainly just glad to beat Sobrato. No way were we losing a third one to them.”
Martinez made sure of it.
“I was just trying to get the next out,” he said. “Make sure no one scores.”
John Forestieri and Matt Zarubi provided Live Oak’s runs in the third inning, with Forestieri doubling and driving in Zarubi.
Nick Pusateri, Jalen Salazar and Jakob Conlan added singles for the Acorns, who dealt Sobrato a fourth straight loss, dragging the Bulldogs (5-13, 4-11) into a tie for eighth place in the Mount Hamilton Division.
Sobrato still took the season series by virtue of back-to-back wins over Live Oak in March. But Martinez’s no-hitter kept the Acorns alive in the playoff race with six games left.
“Pitching-wise, it’s something big,” Martinez said. “But I really want to pitch at CCS again.”
