LATHROP – After taking a fifth inning lead in Friday’s back-and-forth Valley Oak League contest with Kimball High, the Lathrop Spartans fell apart, giving up back-to-back four run innings to close out an 11-3 loss Friday.

The Spartans seemed poised to try and pull out the home-home sweep of the Jaguars, answering Kimball’s first two runs over the first three innings before eventually imploding. Kimball took control of the game with a four-run sixth inning and the Spartans simply had no answer.

“Once we had the lead I thought Kimball would be down,” Lathrop head coach Randy Baltazar said. “But they competed and wanted it more than we did today.

“I give Kimball the credit for how hard they fought back.”

Lathrop got a quality start from Mikey Pereznegron, who tossed six complete, striking out five but surrendering five free passes. Five of Pereznegron’s seven runs surrendered were unearned. He also was productive at the plate going 2-for-4 with a run scored and two stolen bases.

Jared Weiler was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and Austin Plunk was 1-for-1 and got plunked twice.

Kris Batlett was 3-for-4 for Kimball, with a pair of triples and three RBI.

Lathrop will try and get back in the win column Wednesday when they meet up with the East Union Lancers to continue the VOL schedule.

Sophomore

Kimball 11, Lathrop 4

The Spartans dropped their VOL matchup with Kimball Friday.

Carlos Estrada tossed four innings for Lathrop, striking out five, while Jacob Nunes (3-for-3, 2 doubles) and Chuckie Garcia (2-for-3, RBI) produced offensively.