Sierra and Escalon have had some interesting endings to their nonleague matchups in recent years, but Thursday’s 3-3 tie after nine innings of play is the first of its kind.
The two clubs called the contest due to darkness after Sierra was able to knot the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh. Gerald Parente stroked a two out, run scoring single in Sierra’s final chance to force extra innings.
“It was a big turnaround from (Wednesday’s 7-0 loss to Turlock,” Sierra head coach Jack Thomson said. “We had three pitchers throw and they all threw strikes and attacked the strike zone. Dakota (Connors) threw the first four and did real well. It was a good baseball game, we finally just ran out of daylight.
“Today was very encouraging and we took some steps in the right direction.”
Ryan Vasquez collected Sierra’s first big hit, smashing a two-run double in the fifth inning to tie Escalon 2-2. Dakot Connors got the start for the Timberwolves, tossing four-plus innings of effective baseball before surrendering the ball to Vasquez and eventually Jacob Souza. Vasquez finished the contest 2-for-4 at the plate.
Sierra will have two tough matchups next week, traveling to Patterson Tuesday and then to Atwater for action Friday.
Chavez 10, Weston Ranch 7
The Cougars battled back from a four-run deficit, but they would only get so close in a 10-7 road loss to Chavez in Stockton Thursday.
Weston Ranch (0-3) feel behind 6-2 after two innings, but chipped away to pull within a run late. A three-run Chavez sixth innings would be too much to climb back fom.
“I’m very proud of the fact that we were able to come back,” Weston Ranch head coach Ron Wayman said. “It showed some character and I was pleased with that.
“We just have to reduce the mental mistakes that are costing us.”
Freshman Jordan Suveren was 2-for-4 with a double and a RBI in the loss, hitting safely in each of the Cougars’ three contests. Jared Ferarri was 3-for-4 with a double and four RBI, while James Simerley was 2-for-3 with a double.
Weston Ranch will be back on the diamond Monday with a visit to Edison.
