Sobrato kept its Blossom Valley Athletic League momentum going
Wednesday with a 7-2 win over Evergreen Valley.
By Jeremy Barousse
Special to the Times
Sobrato kept its Blossom Valley Athletic League momentum going Wednesday with a 7-2 win over Evergreen Valley.
With two hits and two Evergreen Valley errors, Sobrato broke the game open in the top of the second inning by scoring six runs.
With a 6-5 win over Prospect on Monday and the victory Wednesday, Sobrato (13-8 overall, 10-6 in BVAL) has put together a four-game winning streak in the Santa Teresa Division.
Junior Danny Nelson has been the Buldogs’ hottest hitter with base hits inn six straight plate appearances.
Nelson was 4 for 4 on Monday with an RBI, and singled during his first two plate appearances Wednesday against the Cougars (7-10, 6-10).
He scored four times in the two games as Sobrato combined for 17 hits.
Senior Antonino Davi also supported the Bulldog offense with three hits and three RBIs in the two games.
Sobrato coach Shorty Gutierrez said that winning two games from Evergreen Valley this season was part of the team’s goal.
“Our win was big,” Gutierrez said. “Before the season started, we talked about taking two out of three games from each player in our division. We’re still in control of that. We’re still trying for that goal and we are trying to make the playoffs.”
The Bulldogs got solid pitching from sophomore Billy Birrell on Monday and junior Kevin Sullivan on Wednesday. Sullivan pitched a seven-hitter. Alex Kasinski had three of Evergreen Valley’s hits.
“We played good,” said Sullivan. “I started out good in the beginning and continued to pitch well throughout the game.”
Sullivan said he pitched the best game of his career Wednesday with 10 strikeouts and a complete game.
Wednesday’s win gave him his sixth win of the season to lead Sobrato pitchers.
Gutierrez said that Sullivan is a leader on the pitching mound.
“Every time (Sullivan) takes the ball, he gives us a chance to win,” Gutierrez said. “He’s been pitching well all season. It was nice for him to go all the way to give our other pitchers a breather.”
The Bulldogs will look to keep their streak alive when they face second-place Oak Grove today at Sobrato.
The red-hot Eagles lead the Bulldogs by three games in the Santa Teresa Division. Oak Grove (15-4, 13-3) has won five in a row and nine of its last 10. In an earlier meeting between the teams, the Eagles won 2-0.
Senior Ryan Evanger will take the mound for Sobrato, which is 7-1 at home.
“We need to get a win at our place,” said Gutierrez. “(Today) will be our biggest game of the season and we are looking forward to it.”
