LATHROP – Sometimes the ball just does not bounce your way.

With one run across in the second inning Monday for Linden and a runner on first, Sebastian Trujillo hit what appeared to be a routine single to left field – until it was not. The ball found the lip of the outfield grass and bounded high in the air, coming to rest at the fence for an RBI triple as part of a four-run frame. Linden went on to defeat Northgate in the Section 6 10-11 year-old elimination contest via the mercy rule 13-3 in five innings at Mossdale Landing Park.

 Trailing 7-0 entering the fourth inning, Northgate got something going. Collins Schluer (2 for 3, run) led off the frame with a single and took third on an error off the bat of George Mendoza. Blake Mount doubled in Schluer, Mendoza scored on a Noah Navarro single and Mount scored on Kila Day’s fielder’s choice. 

 This gave Northgate three runs in the inning with a runner on first and one out, and although Day made his way to third via a wild pitch and stolen base, the next two batters struck out and Northgate went down in order in the fifth. 

 Prior to the three-run fourth, Northgate had just one base runner and that was Schluer in the first. He had a one out-single, went to second on Mendoza’s groundout and grabbed third on a wild pitch. The inning ended on a strikeout, the second of eight Northgate batters in a row who would be retired. 

Trailing 7-3 going into the bottom of the fifth, things started bad for Northgate and got worse. All seven Linden batters reached base and buoyed by four Northgate errors, Linden added four hits to notch the six runs necessary to end the game an inning early.

Majors

Morada 11, Northgate 1

TURLOCK – Northgate lost in consolation action Monday, ending its season. 

Nor-Cal Division II Juniors

Northgate 21,

Lemoore 0 (4)

 SALINAS – Northgate tallied 15 runs in the first inning Monday on the way to a mercy rule win in consolation action at Alisal High School.

 Evan Jeffery and John Vieira (2 for 3, double, three RBI, four runs) both had a single, double, two runs and three RBI in the first inning for Northgate. Anthony Flores (2 for 3, RBI, three runs) singled twice, scored twice and had an RBI; Zac McCasland had a hit, an RBI and two runs; Nolan Calmes walked and scored twice and Lucas Krenz helped round out the first-inning onslaught, reaching on a single, a fielder’s choice, scoring twice and knocking in one run.

 Jack Cunial came off the bench and scored twice and had an RBI, going 1 for 2 with a fielder’s choice. 

 Vieira pitched the first two innings, striking out four while walking three with no hits. Jeffery struck out one in the third inning, allowing one walk and a hit and Nate Rodriguez struck out one in the fourth inning.  

Northgate continues in consolation action on Thursday.