Outscoring their opponents by a 25-3 margin this week, the Escalon varsity baseball team defeated Sonora and Livingston, with both games on the road.
They went to Sonora for a Tuesday game, March 6 and blasted their way past the Wildcats, 12-2.
“We were able to take care of them,” head coach Greg Largent said. “Parker Cosby pitched a complete game, he scattered five hits, struck out seven.”
Meanwhile, the Cougars were jumping on the Sonora pitchers for 15 hits and 12 runs.
The host team actually took a short-lived lead, noted Largent, with a run in the first inning on a two-out RBI single.
But Escalon took the lead for good with five runs in the second inning. A two-run double by Cosby highlighted the attack.
Another run in the third made it 6-1 Escalon and the Wildcats got a little closer with a run in the fourth, coming on a single, error and a fielders choice, to make it 6-2. That’s as close as they would get, though, as the Cougars continued to find ways to score on the way to the 12-2 victory.
Estephan Salcedo sent a ball off the base of the wall in the fifth for a double, Cosby singled to drive him in and then Max Nicholas singled to drive in Cosby for two more runs, making it 8-2.
In the seventh, the Cougars sent nine batters to the plate to cap off the scoring, keyed by a two-run double from Cosby and an RBI single from Cole Gilbert.
On Friday, the team headed to Livingston for another non-league game.
“We played almost flawlessly,” Largent said.
Paul Ayala got the start and went three innings, striking out three and allowing one hit. Anthony LaRossa came on to pitch two innings in relief, allowing one run while giving up three hits, striking out one and walking one.
Escalon scored in each of the first four innings and got a pair of two-run homers, one each from Nash Satnat and Cosby. Nicholas and Cosby also had RBI singles to add to the run total.
“They got their lone run in the fourth,” Largent said of Livingston. “We pounded out 14 hits.”
On the day, Cosby and Nicholas each had three hits and three RBI, Ayala had a pair of doubles.
“It was a very productive week,” added Largent. “We had a great week of practice, the guys worked hard, the weather was great and we got a lot of individual work done. Also, at Livingston, the bench guys got in and did some good work, the team is kind of bonding right now, it’s good to see.”
JUNIOR VARSITY
Big wins for the JV boys saw the team defeat Sonora 11-1 and then shut out Livingston 10-0 for a satisfying week on the diamond.
At Sonora for a Tuesday, March 6 contest, Luke Anderson got the start for the JV boys and came within one out of a no-hitter.
“He lost it with two outs in the fifth inning,” said head coach Ken Baptista. “He went four-and-two-thirds innings, struck out 11. He ended up giving up one run on one hit and was the winning pitcher.”
At the plate, Anderson helped his own cause, going 1-for-3 with an RBI.
“Clayton Ferreira was 3-for-3 with two RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base,” Baptista added. “Noah Rast was 1-for-3 with two RBI.”
The young Cougars jumped on their opponent early, scoring 10 runs on Sonora in the first inning.
“I started subbing people in the second inning and Luke just pitched amazing,” Baptista said of the solid effort.
On Friday, the team traveled to Livingston and easily handled the host Wolves.
“Again we got great pitching,” said Baptista. “Noah Rast pitched six innings, gave up no runs on just four hits, he threw only 57 pitches and he made some great plays on the mound.”
Anderson went 2-for-4 with an RBI, Garrett Cox had a pinch hit two-RBI double in the sixth inning that put the JV squad up by 10 runs, providing the final margin of victory in the 10-0 contest.
“We needed it,” Baptista said of getting the big wins, buoying the team’s confidence and giving everyone the chance to get involved.
Weather permitting, the varsity and JV teams are scheduled to play at home against Manteca on Wednesday, March 14 and then play at Stagg on Friday, March 16.
