Sobrato was within one inning of coming up with its biggest win
of the season Friday. But Oak Grove scored five runs in the top of
the seventh inning to grab a 7-3 win over the Bulldogs in a Blossom
Valley Athletic League Santa Teresa Division game.
By Jeremy Barousse Special to the Times
Sobrato was within one inning of coming up with its biggest win of the season Friday.
But Oak Grove scored five runs in the top of the seventh inning to grab a 7-3 win over the Bulldogs in a Blossom Valley Athletic League Santa Teresa Division game.
Sobrato was leading the second-place Eagles 3-2 going into the seventh when Oak Grove took the lead by cashing in on three hits and four errors.
“We didn’t capitalize,” said Bulldogs’ coach Shorty Gutierrez said. “We had a securing position to take the game and we didn’t execute in the last inning. We had those guys beat.”
Sobrato’s offense was led by senior Ryan Evanger and junior Kevin Sullivan who each had a hit and drove in a run.
Gutierrez said that Evanger and Sullivan have been leading the team in hitting all season.
“They came through with some key hits,” said Gutierrez. “Those guys have been leading the way the whole season and they continue to execute every game.”
The Bulldogs managed to get only four hits off Oak Grove senior Nick Loredo, who had seven strikeouts and pitched his way to his ninth win of the season.
Loredo pitched a complete game and faced only 27 batters in the game.
He also was the Eagles’ best threat at the plate with three hits and two RBIs.
Loredo’s single in the top of the seventh gave Oak Grove (16-4 overall, 14-3 BVAL) lead.
Friday’s loss moves Sobrato’s overall record to 13-9 and 10-7 in the Santa Teresa Division.
After Friday’s performance, Gutierrez sees his team’s playoff hopes slowly fading.
“We have to win every game for the rest of the season if we want to compete for a playoff spot,” Gutierrez said. “Our pitching is doing well, we have to capitalize on every opportunity and not give up late in the game.”
The Bulldogs will try to shake off Friday’s loss when they host Branham at 3:30pm.
When asked about what the Bulldogs need to do to beat Branham, Gutierrez simply replied, “We’ve just got be on top of our game.”
SOFTBALL
Sobrato managed just two hits Friday in an 8-0 loss to BVAL Santa Teresa Division-leading Branham.
Sophomore Danielle Clampett and freshmen Frankie Kellett were the lone Bulldogs with hits as Sobrato dropped its sixth straight and fell to 7-13 overall, 2-8 BVAL. The Bruins are 10-9, 8-2.
