LATHROP — Sierra High got a much-needed Valley Oak League win on Tuesday at the expense of host Lathrop.
The Timberwolves (6-5 VOL, 11-9) took advantage of the Spartans’ walks and errors for the 14-2 five-inning victory.
“At least I’ll be able to sleep better tonight,” said Sierra coach Jack Thomson as his team ended a four-game skid. Three of those losses came against VOL leaders Oakdale and East Union.
Lathrop coach Randy Baltazar was baffled at his team’s performance.
The Spartans (1-9 VOL, 4-14-1), who allowed a run to score in the first inning, struggled to find the strike zone in the second.
They were coming off a solid performance in a loss to Manteca.
“It’s tough when we can’t play defense after giving up all those walks,” Baltazar said.
That was evident in second when the Timberwolves scored six runs on seven walks and one hit, extending their lead, 7-0.
Sierra tacked on five more in the third.
Jacob Peterson blasted a run-scoring double to left, and JT Ortiz-Martinez and Jared Bagley both had RBI singles, helping their team take a 12-0 lead.
Anthony Blase, who was the third hurler used by Lathrop, doubled to lead off the bottom of the frame. He eventually scored to get the Spartans on the score board.
Freshman Zachary White, who was playing in his first-ever varsity game for Sierra, doubled to lead off the fourth. He scored his fourth run of the game, coming home on Jesse Babauta’s double.
Hunter Frisk, who walked, also scored, giving the Timberwolves a 14-1 advantage.
Blase had an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth for Lathrop.
Sierra starter Peterson shut the door on the Spartans in the fifth, getting some help from his defense.
He along with Babauta and White had two hits each.
Both teams will play the rubber match on Thursday at Sierra.