Closing out their high school careers, several Escalon Cougar baseball players suited up for the South squad in the Friday night San Joaquin County All-Star Baseball Classic.
They even had a few familiar faces in the dugout, with the coaching crew under the direction of Escalon head coach Greg Largent.
But this time, they were on the losing end of the score, something that hasn't happened too often in their collective careers.
Josh Miguel, Patrick Mulry, Trey Balber and Matt Valencia were the Escalon representatives taking part in the game and all did well, said Largent. The North, however, took a 4-2 win off the field.
The game started out in typical Escalon fashion, with the South team getting first ups as the visiting team.
"Josh got on with a walk, stole second, advanced to third on a fly ball to the outfield by Patrick and scored on a wild pitch to put us up 1-0," Largent explained.
It was a short-lived lead, though, as a player from Bret Harte got a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning. The North added two more runs in the bottom of the second to go up 4-1.
The South got their second run in the seventh inning, getting the tally on a wild pitch.
"There just was not much offense," admitted Largent.
Miguel had a walk, a bunt single, two stolen bases and scored a run, Valencia pitched two innings and struck out three as well as getting a single in his one at-bat. Balber got kudos for his work behind the plate and Mulry patrolled the outfield for the South.
"The kids did great and they all represented Escalon well," said Largent.
With 26 players on the roster, though, it was tough to get everyone in for any significant amount of time. Still, Largent said, it was a good experience for all involved. He and his assistant coaches Harold Hood and Ross Brayton were all in the dugout for the South team.
They even had a few familiar faces in the dugout, with the coaching crew under the direction of Escalon head coach Greg Largent.
But this time, they were on the losing end of the score, something that hasn't happened too often in their collective careers.
Josh Miguel, Patrick Mulry, Trey Balber and Matt Valencia were the Escalon representatives taking part in the game and all did well, said Largent. The North, however, took a 4-2 win off the field.
The game started out in typical Escalon fashion, with the South team getting first ups as the visiting team.
"Josh got on with a walk, stole second, advanced to third on a fly ball to the outfield by Patrick and scored on a wild pitch to put us up 1-0," Largent explained.
It was a short-lived lead, though, as a player from Bret Harte got a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning. The North added two more runs in the bottom of the second to go up 4-1.
The South got their second run in the seventh inning, getting the tally on a wild pitch.
"There just was not much offense," admitted Largent.
Miguel had a walk, a bunt single, two stolen bases and scored a run, Valencia pitched two innings and struck out three as well as getting a single in his one at-bat. Balber got kudos for his work behind the plate and Mulry patrolled the outfield for the South.
"The kids did great and they all represented Escalon well," said Largent.
With 26 players on the roster, though, it was tough to get everyone in for any significant amount of time. Still, Largent said, it was a good experience for all involved. He and his assistant coaches Harold Hood and Ross Brayton were all in the dugout for the South team.
