In a matchup of former Tri County Athletic League rivals, Live
Oak thumped Gilroy 9-2 in nonleague play Tuesday at Sarich
Field.
In a matchup of former Tri County Athletic league rivals, Live Oak thumped Gilroy 9-2 in nonleague play Tuesday at Sarich Field.
The host Acorns, defending champions of the Blossom Valley Athletic League Mount Hamilton Division, extended their win streak to 13.
Live Oak (13-1 overall, 8-0 BVAL) scored six runs in the second inning, capitalizing off three errors by Gilroy (7-10, 5-1 TCAL). Mike Devine and Tony Austin both scored one of their two runs in the game as the Acorns batted through the order.
“We were opportunistic today,” said Live Oak coach Mark Cummins. “They made some mistakes, and we scored off of them like you need to. I liked that approach out there.”
Devine batted 1 for 2, Austin went 2 for 3 with a double, and teammates Gabriel Mancias and Alika Bantilan drove in two RBIs apiece. Tim O’Rourke finished with three RBIs for the Acorns, who tallied nine hits.
O’Rourke got the win, striking out three batters and allowing two runs on five hits in five innings.
“We needed more offense today and less mistakes,” Gilroy coach Clint Wheeler said. “We haven’t played good baseball this week. We need to get back to the level we were at earlier in the season, and it all starts with practice.”
Danny Contreras finished 1 for 3 and drove in both of the Mustangs’ runs in the fifth on an RBI-single to center, scoring Lucas Fortino and Kevin Grove.
Gilroy’s starting pitcher Taylor Chris got the loss, yielding three earned runs on five hits in three innings. He struck out four.
