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Lancers miss opportunities in shutout loss to Kimball
BB--Kimball-East Union pic 1
East Union pitcher Marco Gonzales flips the ball to first base as Kimballs Ryan Rivera gets forced out on a sacrifice bunt. - photo by DAVE CAMPBELL/The Bulletin East Union pitcher Marco Gonzales flips the ball to first base as Kimball

Kimball’s pitching corps kept East Union off balance Wednesday and the Lancers never did find home plate as the visiting Jaguars blanked East Union 3-0 in Valley Oak League baseball action at Agostini Field. 

“We scored early and threw a freshman (Gabe Cortinas) on the mound to start,” Kimball coach Ted Muniz said. “He threw three or four great innings and then Ryan (Rivera) came in and closed the door.

“We throw backwards a little bit. People may be looking for the fast ball and we will throw the curve ball or the change.”

The Lancers (2-3 VOL, 5-9 overall) were unable to capitalize on multiple scoring opportunities, leaving runners stranded in scoring position in the second, third, fourth and fifth innings, including getting runners to second and third with no out in the fourth.

“I believe of our seven strikeouts six were looking,” Triglia said. “We definitely need to have a better two-strike approach in the sense of taking a hack at borderline pitches.

“We need to do a better job of making in-game adjustments – like today with the way Kimball was pitching us and we also needed to be able to understand the zone. Those in-game adjustments need to be from bat to bat.”

Drew Reddick led the game off for the Jaguars (2-3, 11-5) with a double and Kimball worked him around for a 1-0 lead. The Jaguars added two insurance runs in the seventh inning.

While East Union may have had problems with getting key hits, the Lancers played stellar defense. Second baseman Johnny Blackwell and left fielder Jack Weaver each had a highlight-reel catch for East Union.

“That is our expectation,” Triglia said of Blackwell’s and Weaver’s circus catches. “They were great catches, leaving their feet. We expect them to do that.

“When they come through it is awesome and lifts the team up and gets the team focused and reenergized. Both those plays did.”

Eric Flores had the lone extra-base hit for the Lancers with a one-out double in the third inning. No. 9 batter Danny Marquez reached twice when one of his grounders was too hot to handle and when he singled in the seventh inning. 

This is Muniz’s first year coaching in the VOL.

“This league is tough all the way down,” Muniz said. “I think on a given day anyone can beat anybody. I really believe that.”