After a flash downpour snuffed out the JV baseball team’s hopes for a game after just four outs were recorded on Wednesday afternoon, the team traveled Thursday to the terroir of Napa Valley to play the Crushers of Vintage High School. Despite a huge comeback in the top of the sixth inning, the Dons fell short, losing 12-11, in a game that saw runners come around the bases like fans through a BottleRock turnstile.
The Dons took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, in what would be the theme of the game, with an error, two walks, and a run scored on a double-play ball. That lead would be given right back to the Crushers, thanks to three walks sandwiching a well-hit triple and a run-scoring single, with two of the frame’s three runs scoring on passed balls.
The Dons plated single runs in each of the next three innings, with a Zach Birrell sacrifice fly, then Jimmy Cusumano stealing bases and taking home like an ornery Ty Cobb, a Birrell single and a couple of stolen bases and an RBI single by 1B Reid Martin.
Right within striking distance after 3 and 1/2 innings, when the Dons’ pitching and defense needed an inning that would be bold, robust, elegant, and full of finesse to the palate, they opened a bottle of vinegar. Four walks all came around to score, with an error and run-scoring dropped third strike thrown in for good measure.
After failing to score in the fifth, the Dons came to bat in the sixth looking at an ugly 12-4 deficit. However, the Dons got to the Vintage bullpen in a big way, patiently taking four walks, LF David Roux getting plunked as he is known to do, and the second hits of the day for Birrell, Cusumano, and the spring’s hot-hitting Nico Roig. It appeared that Coach Dan Meade’s Big Uncle ‘Mo was definitely in attendance, as the Dons batted around and scored seven runs. Both the Crushers’ and Dons’ pitchers (starter A.J. Hastings, relievers Riley Gates and Brendan Miles) issued 12 walks, fighting control, and at times, an umpire sticking to a tight strike zone.
Now, down a single run, just when it was most needed, the Dons got a scoreless inning from Miles in the bottom of the sixth.
Alas, the Crushers held firm in the top of the seventh, preserving their 12-11 win.
The JV Nine hope to bounce back against a league opponent, Las Lomas, this Monday, with away games scheduled at Tam High and Livermore on Thursday and Friday.
