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Varsity Boys Split Pair Of League Games
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Winning game number 599 in his coaching career at Livingston on Tuesday, varsity boys baseball coach Bob Loureiro hoped to put 600 on the books Thursday, but league-leading Hilmar had other ideas and eked out a win over the host Cougars.

"I'll get number 600 before I retire," a philosophical Loureiro said following Thursday's one-run loss to Hilmar.

He had a chance Tuesday, after The Times went to press, with the Cougars slated to finish out a tie game with Ripon Christian before playing a regular contest with the Knights at Escalon.

This past week, the Cougars were winners at Livingston, topping the host Wolves by a 13-6 decision.

"We jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning," said Loureiro. "Jesse Miguel reached on an error, then we had three straight walks, to Ross Brayton, K.J. Vandagriff and Brian Lynn."

Peter Krumeich following with a fielders choice to score a run, Derik Placido added an RBI single.

Five runs came in the third, all crossing the plate after two outs in the inning.

Nate Williamson singled, Placido followed with a two-run homer. Anthony Suniga singled, Zachary Swass doubled, Miguel doubled and Brayton singled to add to the run total.

In the fifth, the Cougars cashed in on several singles to score a run, and they added some insurance in the seventh with an RBI double from Vandagriff, an RBI single from Krumeich. They had 15 hits on the day.

"Swass was the winning pitcher but it wasn't one of his better outings," noted Loureiro. "He allowed six runs and nine hits over four-and-two-thirds innings."

Grant Goedhart came on in relief in the fifth and got the Cougars out of a jam, pitching one-hit ball over the final two-and-a-third innings.

Thursday, the Cougars were hoping to give Loureiro the historic 600th win and they made it close against Hilmar, losing a 3-2 decision.

"It was a tough loss but a well played game," said Loureiro.

Hilmar scored a run in the first and two in the fifth. Escalon got one in the third, one in the fourth.

Placido doubled and scored in the third inning for Escalon, Brayton singled in the fourth and was sacrificed to second, moved to third on a passed ball and came home on a sacrifice fly by Lynn.

The Cougars got the tying run to third base in the bottom of the seventh but left him stranded there.

"The pitchers from Hilmar were just outstanding," Loureiro said.

He was also pleased with the performance from his starting pitcher, Krumeich, who gave up three runs on two hits in four-and-two-thirds innings, striking out four.

"He did walk five and he hit three batters," Loureiro said.

Swass pitched the final two-and-a-third innings in relief and was solid, striking out two.

Each team had just two hits.

"A lot of people made a big deal out of going for 600 and the kids played real hard for a great crowd," said Loureiro.

The Cougars were slated to host Ripon Christian for two on Tuesday, finishing out the game previously called in a tie due to darkness, then playing a regular game. They go to Ripon for another TVL contest on Thursday.

By MARG JACKSON