Casa Grande uses solid pitching, clutch hits to beat Justin-Siena in VVAL battle
By Kyle Foster
Twitter: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews
The Vine Valley Athletic League can be an emotional and mental rollercoaster. You’re winning one minute and then turn around and play a team that was a bit better than you. That’s how it goes when springtime comes for baseball.
So on Monday afternoon at Braves Diamond, one of the perennial powers in the North Bay showed why they get that praise as Casa Grande of Petaluma beat Justin-Siena, 4-1.
The Gauchos (6-2 overall, 3-0 VVAL) were able to win this one based on getting some key hits at very important times.
One of those came in the first where they scored the opening tally of the game. Elijah Sullivan was hit by a pitch before scoring on a triple that went down the right-field line by JT Summers.
Then in the fourth, Casa Grande scored once more when Alex Cruz singled and went to second on a wild pitch, and then tagged up to third on a flyout before scoring on a single by Jesse Calkin.
In the seventh, the Cauchos also scored a pair of runs. Wyatt Abramson reached on a fielder’s choice and Austin Steeves walked before both moved up a base on a wild pitch before scoring on a single by Sullivan.
The Braves (5-3, 1-1 VVAL) scored their lone run in the fourth. Jake Fletcher singled and got to second on a sacrifice bunt by Aiden Phinney and later scored when Sam Denkin sent a double into left-center that one-hopped the fence.
“We cashed in on an opportunity there,” Justin-Siena manager Jeremy Tayson said of the rally in the fourth. “Sam Denkin continues to be a kind of that sparkplug clutch guy for us. So he was able to get a good barrel on that one and double and to cash in.”
The Justin-Siena offensive attack was led by Braeden Butler (1-for-2 stolen base), Denkin (1-for-3 double, RBI), Fletcher (1-for-3 run), and Tinsley (1-for-3 double).
Getting the win in this game was Jeffrey Rice. The junior right-hander worked four innings and allowed just one run and three hits. He also struck out 4 and walked 2 in the game.
Steeves was dominant over the final two innings on the way to getting a two-inning save. The junior lefty fanned all six batters he faced to end the game.
Staring and taking the loss in the game for Justin-Siena was Tinsley. The senior righty worked four innings and allowed 2 earned runs on 85 pitches. He also struck out 4 and walked just 1 in the start as well.
“Dalen really appears to be getting better with every outing,” Tayson said of the senior. “This is a tough assignment and we want him to face those tough assignments so we can continue to get a little stronger because he’s such a tough and poised dude. So the more opportunities he gets on the mound like that, the better.”
Butler worked in relief over the final three frames, throwing 59 pitches. The freshman right-handed pitcher struck out 2 and walked 2 while allowing 2 earned runs as well.
“I guess you could call this a coming out party of sorts for Braeden,” Tayson pointed out. “He threw three sharp innings. Had a single, had a really easy, clever stolen bag there. So he just continues to settle in more and more at the varsity level. He’s incredibly talented and a baseball-savvy dude and today was the best game he’s played in all three phases, and really proud and happy to see that.”
Both teams will continue VVAL play later this week. Casa Grande is scheduled to host Vintage on Thursday at 4 pm. As for Justin-Siena, they were to travel to American Canyon on Thursday at 4 pm, but field conditions have changed the game to be at Justin-Siena on Friday at 4 pm.
