Zach Riveron’s three-RBI day combined with a four-run fourth propelled Live Oak to an 8-4 win over Willow Glen Tuesday.
Riveron went 2-3 with three driven in as part of four Acorn hitters who had two-hit days as Live Oak got back into the win column, improving to 2-2 in Mt. Hamilton Division play.
Justin Sanders, Kyle Riveron and Jacob Ryder all had two-hit outings, with Sanders scoring twice, Kyle Riveron scoring once and driving in another and Ryder driving in a run.
Michael Porras overcame a shakey start to throw a complete game, giving up four runs on three hits and three walks with seven strikeouts.
Porras got touched up for two runs to start the game when a fielder’s choice at second led to two runs scoring on a ground ball from Davis Miller with the bases loaded.
The Live Oak senior got out of the inning, picking Miller off at first.
In the bottom half of the inning, Live Oak got one of the runs back when Justin Sanders reached on a one-out single and went to second on a single from Josh Alaniz. Porras drove Sanders home when he hit into a fielder’s choice.
The Acorns took the lead in the next inning when John Austin hit a one-out single and scored one batter later when Alejandro Martinez hit a triple to tie the game.
Ryder then smashed a double to the left field corner, scoring Martinez and giving Live Oak a 3-2 lead.
After the Rams were silenced in the third inning, Live Oak extended the lead when the Acorns loaded the bases on three consecutive Willow Glen errors.
Josh Alaniz reached on a ground ball to short, advanced when Porras reached on an error at second and when Kyle Riveron reached safely after laying down a bunt.
Zach Riveron singled with the bases loaded to score Alaniz and giving Live Oak a 4-2 lead.
That run proved vital when the Rams came up in the fourth.
A leadoff walk turned into a run on a two-out triple from Jacob Flores that cut the lead to 4-3.
Flores then scored on a passed ball to tie the game.
But as they did in the first, Live Oak responded in the bottom half of the inning, this time in a much bigger way.
With two outs, Sanders singled followed by back-to-back walks to Alaniz and Porras.
Sanders then scored on a single from Kyle Riveron to give Live Oak a 5-4 lead.
But the Acorns weren’t done.
Alaniz stole home ahead of a Zach Riveron double that scored Porras and Kyle Riveron for the game’s final 8-4 margin.
From there, Porras was perfect.
He retired the next nine batters in order, including four by strikeout.
Live Oak will go for the series sweep on Thursday when the Acorns travel to San Jose for a 4 p.m. game.
