A strong pitching performance by Zach Grabowski backed by a solid defense and some timely hitting proved to be the winning formula for East Union High against crosstown rival Sierra on Monday.
The Lancers won the Valley Oak League opener at Agostini Field, 5-0.
"Zach's focus was strong," said East Union coach Dan Bauer of his senior lefty. "He worked hard in the offseason and it shows — we're proud of him."
Added Timberwolves coach Travis Thomson: "This is the third time we faced Zach, and this is the best he's ever done against us."
Grabowski allowed four hits, striking out eight with a walk while going the distance to earn the win.
Sophmore outfielder Jackson Fay set the offense up in the leadoff spot, reaching base three times, including twice via walks and once by getting plucked by a pitch. He had three steals and scored three.
"His speed makes him a dynamic runner on the bases," Bauer said.
East Union (1-0 VOL, 9-3 overall) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
Fay, who reached base on an error, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. He easily scored on Blake Mount's fly ball to right field.
The Lancers added a run in the third, triggered by Fay's one-out walk. He once again swiped second and, following an intentional walk to Mount, came home on Kirk Simoni's RBI single to left.
Sierra (0-1 VOL, 7-4) opened the fourth inning with Druw Navarro and Angel Valdez stringing together a pair of singles, with both runners advancing via fielder’s choice.
But a hopper to Simoni at third ignited the run-down putout at home, which was followed by a comebacker to Grabowski for the force at first base for the second out.
He then worked his way out of the jam with a strikeout.
East Union escaping that inning without yielding a run spoke volumes for both pitching and defense, Bauer noted.
The Lancers added some insurance in the fifth by tacking on three more runs.
With one out, Fay was a hit by a pitch and subsequently stole second. He was safe at third on Carson Sanders' infield hit, scoring on Mount's RBI single. Sanders and Mount were both plated by freshman infieder Joe Alvarez, who delivered on the two-run single.
Grabowski opened the seventh by allowing a lead-off single to Collins Schuler. He fanned the next three batters in order to preserve the shutout.
Navarro led the Timberwolves offensively by going 2 for 2 with a pair of stolen bases.
"We need to focus on ourselves," said Thomson as his team plays host to the Lancers on Wednesday.
Simoni had two hits and an RBI for East Union with Mount and Alvarez contributing with a hit each and two RBI in the win.
