Four-run fourth inning helps Justin-Siena gain momentum and pull away to beat Healdsburg in CIF North Coast Section quarterfinals
By Kyle Foster
Twitter: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews
Playoff baseball is always a tad bit more intense simply because it’s win or go home. That’s why seizing the momentum and keeping it in your dugout is so crucial.
That’s what the No. 2 seeded Justin-Siena baseball team did on Saturday afternoon when they beat No. 7 seed Healdsburg 7-0 in the quarterfinals of the CIF North Coast Section Division 4 playoffs.
In the fourth inning Saturday, Justin-Siena (20-6) was able to score four times, which would help them pull away to the victory. After being hit by a pitch, he got to second on a fly-out by Bryce Laukert and moved to third on a Gianni Natuzzi fielder’s choice that brought in Matt Chadsey who led off the inning with a single. Walsh then came in on a wild pitch for the second run of the inning.
Natuzzi advanced to second on the wild pitch and got to third when Trevor L’Esperence was hit by a pitch to load the bases before scoring on a single by Nick Andrews that went up the middle. L’Esperence scored when Everett Johnson drew a bases-loaded walk.
“We came out a little flat and then feel like just as a team we came together and realized we got to get going,” Justin-Siena senior Timmy Walsh said as to what sparked the offense in the fourth inning. “This is NCS playoffs one-game elimination, so do-or-die you know.”
Justin-Siena scored the first run of the game in the third when Andrews was hit by a pitch and came home on a Johnson double that went down the right-field line.
The Braves scored twice more in the fifth as well. Walsh singled and stole second before coming in on a Laukert single. Natuzzi walked and stole second before moving to third on an Andrews walk that loaded the bases. He then scored on a Dalen Tinsley sacrifice fly to centerfield.
Walsh was crucial when it came to creating offense in the game for Justin-Siena. He went 2-for-3 with a double, single, and two stolen bases and was hit by a pitch in three plate appearances on the afternoon.
“Just like when you go out there, you just got to convince yourself you’re confident keep your confidence, and that you’re a good hitter, and that’s what I did,” Walsh said of his mentality at the plate in the game.
Others having a good day at the plate for Justin-Siena were Johnson (1-for-1 double, walk, run scored, two RBIs), Natuzzi (1-for-2 walk, RBI, two stolen bases, two runs scored), Andrews (1-for-2 walk, stolen base, run scored, RBI), L’Esperence (1-for-2 run scored), Chadsey (1-for-3 run), and Laukert (1-for-4 RBI).
“Just good baseball. We came in very composed and prepared,” Justin-Siena head coach Jeremy Tayson said of his team’s performance. “Having the bye was able to let us kind of restructure our rotation and get some rest and do what we need to do to get ready for today and credit to our team for buying into that and taking that run with it.”
Getting the win on the bump was Andrews who improved his record to 8-2 on the season. Over six innings of work, the senior right-hander struck out 11 and gave up just two hits. In the game, he threw just 80 pitches.
“Career high in strikeouts, it’s the first time he’s hit double digits,” Tayson said of the senior right-hander. “He really just does a good job setting the pace and he’s just unflappable. Really proud of him for giving us the length we wanted from him today and doing a great job.”
Tinsley worked an inning of relief, striking out two on 20 throws. He also allowed three hits.
The win means Justin-Siena will host No. 3 seed Saint Mary’s of Albany next Wednesday at 5 pm. Saint Mary’s beat No. 11 seed Fortuna 17-6 on Saturday.
It also means this will be the first time since 2016 that Justin-Siena has made it to the semifinals of the baseball playoffs. You can view the full up-to-date bracket here.
