Jimmy Lemberger was a triple shy of the cycle and Justin Hale took care of the rest in Gilroy’s 7-1 win over Sobrato Thursday.
“Hale pitched a good game and first baseman Tommy had a heck of a game digging four or five balls out of the dirt. I’m pleased,” said coach Billy Holler.
The Mustangs’ No. 3 hitter hit an RBI double in the first, reached on an infield single in the third and blasted a solo shot in the sixth. Meanwhile, the starter went the distance, giving up one run on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts.
“We had success against him the first time we saw him. Today we came out flay and I think it carried through the whole game. But that doesn’t take anything away from their pitcher, because he threw a heck of a game,” said coach Tom Burg.
Hale surrendered a run in the third on an RBI single from Marcus Alipaz, but he didn’t allow a base runner the rest of the way.
Hale kept Sobrato off balance with a mix of fastballs and biting breaking balls that got a lot of swing throughs.
He helped his own cause going 1-4 with two runs scored.
The complete game was important for Gilroy who needed three pitchers against Live Oak the day before in an extra inning affair and the Mustangs will turn around and take on Mitty on Friday.
“It’s been a tough year, but we have three guys who can go complete games, Hale can go 120 pitches,” Holler said.
Alex Benevidas followed with a pair of singles, going 2-3 with two RBIs and a sacrifice bunt.
For Sobrato, the hits just weren’t there.
Nathan Alejo scored the only run after hitting a double then coming home on Alipaz’ single.
Alejo nearly had an RBI, but a great relay from center field cut down leadoff hitter Maui Jimenez who tried to score from first after reaching on an error.
Matthew Roth had the only other hit for Sobrato when he singled in the second.
“The guys just didn’t have it today. When you’re flat, you’re flat,” Burg said.
Burg said he was low on pitchers and decided to give a new guy a try.
Sobrato’s starter was KO’d after just a third of an inning, giving up three hits, including a double, and a walk. He was charged with three runs, all earned.
John Newman took over, and got out of the inning after allowing a run with a double.
The rest of the way, he went four and two thirds giving up three more hits and three unearned runs.
Sobrato will next face Live Oak starting at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Note: For the second game in a row, Gilroy played in a game without umpires. The game officials reportedly went to Gilroy instead of Sobrato and didn’t make the drive to Morgan Hill. Sobrato held up the game to give the umpires a chance to make the drive from Gilroy, but after about 20 minutes, Holler received a call that the umpires were not going to the game. Just like in Gilroy’s game against Live Oak, assistant coaches called the game for both teams.
