By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Back-to-back bombs lift Bulldogs over EU
BASE-EU-vs-Son-pic-1
East Union infielder Steven Gigli reaches for the errantly-thrown ball as Tracy Highs Tanner Turner slides in safely to second base for a steal in the top of the fifth inning. - photo by JONAMAR JACINTO

Missed opportunities contributed to East Union High’s 6-3 non-league loss to Tracy on Tuesday

“We left too many runners stranded,” Lancers coach Dan Triglia said.

Included was a bases-loaded situation with one out in the third inning.

Leading 1-0 at the time – East Union (3-2) scored in the first inning thanks to consecutive two-out singles by Steven Gigli, Jordan Kron, and Brock Swift, who plated Gigli – the Lancers not only missed their chance to tack on more runs but, in turn, provided the Bulldogs with some hope.

They did just that in their next at-bat, scoring three times including back-to-back home runs by Jake Shull and Chase Johnson. Both long balls cleared the 342-foot fence in right field with help from some gusting strong winds.

Dustin Dibble had a lead-off double. He coasted home on Shull’s bomb.

The Lancers answered back in the home half of the inning, with Joshua Bonds reaching base on an infield single. He moved to second when Alex Dias’ grounder to third was misplayed for an error, advancing to third on Bryce Stonum’s walk.

With the bases loaded, Gigli, who was the starting pitcher – he went four innings, allowing four hits, three runs, and two strike outs – delivered an RBI single. Dias tied the game by scoring on a wild pitch.

In the fifth, Tracy (3-3) scored twice. Tanner Turner led off with a walk, advancing to second on Johnson’s infield hit. The Lancers, from there, walked the next three batters.

The Bulldogs made it 6-3 in the sixth on Dibble’s RBI single. Devon Denholm, who came on strong in relief, had a one-out double.

Tracy collected 10 hits while committing four errors.

East Union scratched out five hits while stranding 10 runners on base.

“That was one of the keys to the game,” Triglia said. “We need to do a better job driving in runners when we have those opportunities.”

Gigli had three hits to lead the Lancers.