Looking to solidify their standing in league and earn a postseason berth, the varsity Escalon Cougars got a pair of victories on the baseball diamond this past week.
They took both contests against Hughson, winning a Wednesday game at home, 9-2.
Though they spotted the Huskies a pair of runs in the top of the first, they scored three themselves in the bottom of the inning to take a lead they would never relinquish.
After an out, Max Nicholas singled and stole second, Lucca Dutra walked and Cole Gilbert drove in Nicholas with an RBI double. Colton Lowney then notched a two-run single to make it 3-2.
Single runs in the second and third innings made it 5-2 and the Cougars added two more runs in both the fifth and sixth innings for the 9-2 final. Contributing hits and RBIs were Nicholas, Devin Roberson, Nash Satnat, Dutra and Zach Abraham.
“The bats came alive a little bit,” said head coach Greg Largent. “We had 13 hits including three doubles.”
Nicholas and Lowney both went 3-for-4; Abraham was 2-for-4.
“Anthony LaRossa got the start, he gutted it out,” said Largent. “It seemed like he was in hot water almost every inning.”
LaRossa went six innings, throwing 97 pitches. He struck out four, walked three and hit two batters. Steven Grossi came on in relief and pitched a clean seventh.
Friday on the road at Hughson, the Cougars came away with an 11-1 win in five innings.
“We had a lot of baserunners early,” Largent said. “In the first inning, Parker Cosby doubled, Max Nicholas advanced him with a ground out and he scored on an RBI single from Lucca Dutra.”
In the second inning, Escalon took advantage of four hit batters, two walks, three singles and a sacrifice fly to break the game open.
“We scored a total of eight runs that inning, sent 13 batters to the plate,” Largent explained.
They added two more runs in the fourth inning, the big hits including an RBI double from Satnat, an RBI triple from Estephan Salcedo.
“Their lone run came in the fourth inning, it was a solo homer,” Largent said of Hughson.
Cosby got the start and threw a complete game, pitching five innings and striking out three. He allowed four hits, hit one batter and threw 55 pitches.
“It was one of the very first times we got everybody in,” Largent said of the game. “It was a total team victory.”
Carson George made two nice catches in right field, while Daniel Luis had an RBI single as they had the opportunity to contribute.
The Cougars wrap up TVL action this week; they will host Hilmar for Senior Day festivities on Wednesday, May 9 with the Cougars honoring Parker Cosby, Max Nicholas, Zach Abraham, Colton Lowney, Estephan Salcedo, Steven Grossi and Paul Ayala in pre-game ceremonies.