After slow start, Pitman baseball heats up to advance to section semifinals. Who’s next?
Pitman High pitcher Andrew Balentine admits his start in Thursday’s Sac-Joaquin Section Division II quarterfinal against Rodriguez was not his best after allowing two runs in each of the first two innings.
“I think it was just adrenaline, I was just trying to overpower everyone and go as hard as I can,” Balentine said. “It was a big moment.”
Then, his mindset changed.
“After those two innings, I realized you got the best defense around here, so just let them work, trust them, trust the process and good things will happen.”
Balentine did not allow a run in the next three and a third innings and the Pride (20-6-1) flipped the game’s momentum. The top-ranked team in Division II exploded for nine runs in the fourth and fifth innings to help them secure a 9-5 win and advance to the section semifinals.
“Not the way we wanted to start but this is just a resilient group,” Pitman coach Andy Walker said. “We just kept saying there’s a lot of ball left, we just got to keep trying to win innings. Don’t panic, don’t press and everything will work out.”
Rodriguez’s first two batters reached base on a leadoff walk and an error. A single and a sacrifice fly put the Mustangs ahead 2-0 after one.
A pair of singles put Rodriguez base runners on first and second to lead off the inning and a sacrifice bunt moved them into scoring position. A wild pitch allowed the third run to cross the plate. The fourth run scored on a one out groundout.
Walker all season has emphasized the importance of winning the middle innings. Thursday, the team dominated the third, fourth and fifth innings to flip the momentum.
It started with a fourth-inning, 10-pitch at bat from Marcus Perez. The senior drew a walk, advanced to second on a balk and later scored on a hard hit ball by first baseman Drew Walker.
“We’ve been talking all year about that two strike approach and just grinding, fouling it off to live to see another pitch … and that was a picture perfect at bat right there,” Walker said. “For a pitcher, it’s demoralizing when you go 10 pitches and then you get a walk like that. It’s a huge momentum swing for us, it’s demoralizing for them and then we started opening it up a little bit.”
With a pair of runners aboard, Dominic Damante laid down a bunt, forcing a throwing error that sent the ball rolling into right field foul territory. Damante advanced to third and Walker and Alex Lopez scored to trim it to a 4-3 game. In the next at bat, Brandon Leon singled, scoring Damante to tie the game.
Seven Pride batters reached base safely in the bottom of the fifth inning and five runners came across to score, giving them a 9-4 advantage heading into the sixth.
“In a win or go home game, when you’re down it’s natural to press,” Walker said. “I knew if we could get a lead, they would relax and they would just play like they’re capable of playing.”
Balentine did not allow a run in the middle innings, giving up just two hits and striking out three batters.
“I kept telling everyone in the dugout to trust it, don’t get down, keep that energy up and everything will happen,” said Balentine, who will play at Fresno State next year. “I tried to do my part, just keeping them at zero.
“Just knowing that at any point we can turn the game around from losing by four to being up, it’s a great feeling. … I’ve the best group of guys and we’ve got the best coaching staff out here and I’m grateful and blessed.”
The Mustangs scored their final run in the sixth before Balentine ended the inning with his fourth strikeout. Broc Franconi closed the game in the seventh.
The top-seeded Pride advance to the Division II semifinals against No. 4 Rio Americano, which will be a best-of-three series. Pitman will host Game 1 Monday, the Raiders host Game 2 Wednesday and an if-necessary Game 3 will be a Pitman home game Thursday.
“We’re gonna go out Monday and we’re going to play to win … and we’re going to have the same approach on Wednesday,” Walker said. “They are a phenomenal team, so we can’t sit back. We got to just keep being the predator not the prey and just keep rolling with that mindset.”
Baseball playoffs
Ponderosa 9, Oakdale 1: The Mustangs fell in the Division III section quarterfinals Thursday to top seeded Ponderosa. Donovan Johnson scored Oakdale’s only run on a solo home run in the seventh inning. The Bruins scored in all but two innings en route to a seven inning win. Oakdale’s season ends with a 14-12-1 record.
Central Catholic 4, Roseville 0: Adrian Garcia followed up TP Wentworth’s complete game shutout Tuesday with one of his own Thursday. The junior went the distance in the Division III quarterfinals, striking out 12 batters, allowing just three hits and walking one batter. Wentworth had three hits with a home run and drove in three runs while Braxton Thomas went 3-for-3 with an RBI. The No. 3 Raiders play No. 2 Christian Brothers in a best of three series starting Monday.
Casa Roble 2, Ripon 1: Ripon was held scoreless until the seventh inning but was unable to overcome a two-run deficit, falling in the Division IV quarterfinals. In an evenly matched game, both teams produced nine hits. Dawson Downs drove in Ripon’s only run and had a hit. Ripon ends its season 18-12.
Softball
Ripon 4, Escalon 2: Kharime Caratachea struck out 10 Cougars in seven innings, helping Ripon secure its TVL leading ninth win. Three batters secured two hits and a pair of Ripon High batters drove in runs.
Waterford 11, Denair 5: Madden Hill had three hits with a double and drove in two runs in Waterford’s win Thursday. Delilah Adams added a hit and two RBIs helping the Wildcats snap a five-game losing streak in the season’s final game.
Riverbank 4, Livingston 1: The Bruins scored twice in the first and fifth innings and pitcher Janeiya Lopez allowed just one run while striking out seven in the team’s eighth league win. Riverbank finishes the regular season second in the TVL.
Ripon Christian 11, Delhi 1: The Knights won their second straight game after beating the Hawks in five innings. Ripon Christian scored eight runs in the third inning to break the game open and win the final game of the regular season.
Orestimba 3, Gustine 0: The Warriors secured their second consecutive perfect Southern League season with Thursday’s seven-inning victory. Jacquelyn Lujan went the distance, striking out 18 batters. Hannah Taft finished with a double and an RBI.
