RIPON – With the Trans Valley League schedule winding down and postseason spots being dictated, the Ripon Indians needed a win. Sophomore pitcher Caleb Rogers gave Ripon what it needed, tossing a complete-game three-hitter Thursday in a 4-1 Indians win.
Rogers was in complete command of the strikezone throughout, surrendering just one walk while striking out four in a much needed victory over a Bruins club Ripon entered the contest tied with in the TVL standings.
“He has really stepped up this year,” Ripon head coach Mitch Evans said of his starter. “To come up and contribute like he has been nice. We’re proud of what Caleb has been able to accomplish and he has a lot more ahead of him.
“Give Riverbank credit, they’re a good team but he just had a good game today.”
Riverbank (5-5, 8-11) took advantage of a series of Ripon defensive mishaps in the third inning, pushing across it first run on a fielder’s choice groundout. Bruins starter Noel Sanchez stymied the Indians lineup through the first four innings, but a big hit from Josh Clark separated the two clubs for good.
Clark cashed in on a Sanchez offering, driving in Matt Boesch and Sam Bennett would follow him with an RBI sacrifice fly.
That would be more than enough for Rogers, who would add to the total when a pair of stolen bases on would-be pickoffs led to Scott Robison’s sacrifice fly.
“Ever since Tuesday I have just been going over what I seen in their batters,” Rogers said. “I was thinking about how I would approach each batter. I also wanted to work with a fast pace to keep them off balance.
“They played strong in the outfield and the infield made key plays. We made a few mistakes, but we made up for it.”
In the top of the seventh Riverbank put together its best scoring opportunity of the contest, getting two runners on with no outs off Indian errors. Rogers would get a strikeout, and the middle infielders turned a double play to end the game.
The Indians will have to fare well against Orestimba in the final home-home series in TVL play, likely controlling their own destiny in the season’s final week.
“It’s still one game at a time for us because we are such a young team,” Evans said. “We have to learn how to win. We are learning day by day and every day is a learning experience, so we truly are taking it day by day.
“Hopefully, by the end of next week we’re in position to move on.”
Sophomore
Manteca 11, East Union 5
The Buffaloes rolled all over East Union Thursday, winning 11-5 in the VOL contest.
Nick Lucchetti and Ryan Harbeck combined to bottle up the Lancers offense.
Ricky Flores ( 2 for 2, 3 runs, 3 RBI), Cade Buffalow (2 for 3, 2 RBI) and AJ Kieffabber (2 for 4, triple) led the Manteca (8-5, 13-6) offense.
