Justin-Siena scores runs in many different ways to roll past Kelseyville, score ten-plus runs for second straight game
By Kyle Foster
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An offense that is getting hot at the right time is scary. Ideally, you want to be doing this when the season is winding down.
On Saturday afternoon at Braves Field, this is what the No. 4 seed Justin-Siena showed for the second straight game as they beat No. 5 Kelseyville, 12-0, in a five-inning mercy-rule shorted CIF North Coast Section Division 4 playoffs quarterfinal.
In the second, the Braves (15-9) used some small ball to get three runs in. It began when Luke Giusto singled and got to second on a wild pitch before scoring on a double to left-center by Jake Fletcher. After Sam Denkin was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second, a sacrifice bunt by Jason Gray set up Sebastiani who roped a triple to right-center that missed being a home run by near inches.
“Runners in scoring position, all I’m thinking (is) just line drive up the middle,” Sebastiani said of his at-bat where he tripled. “He just gave me a good fastball and I just wailed on it.”
The game was put away with 9 more runs to make it 12-0. In the third, Justin-Siena sent 13 batters to the plate as well. Noah Giovannelli walked and scored when Everet Johnson sent a double into left-center. That was followed by a Giusto single. Then, Fletcher singled to bring in Johnson. Following a Denkin infield single to load the sacks, Gray singled to bring in Giusto and Fletcher. Sebastiani reached on a bunt single to load the bases, which was followed by a Braeden Butler single to bring in Denkin and Gray. Sebastiani would later score on a wild pitch and a single by Giovannelli brought in Butler. Fletcher doubled to left field to bring in Giovannelli and end the monster inning.
“I mean, we’re just hungry,” Sebastiani explained of the nine-run third. “All we do is hit. It’s all we know how to do. So doesn’t matter who they throw on the bump, we’re going to bang everytime.”
Coming into the game, Kelseyville pitcher Brock Barrick came in having allowed 3 earned runs all season. In this game, he was tagged for 10 runs. This was due to a good approach at the plate where they were looking for their pitch.
“We just stayed true to our offensive approach,” Justin-Siena head coach Jeremy Tayson said as to how his squad hit the Knights ace. “We have a really good coaching staff that helps our guys get ready offensively. Because VVAL is so tough, we’re kind of ready for any pitching.”
In the game, Sebastiani was 2-for-2 with a triple, run scored, and 2 RBIs. He has been doing this all season from the eighth spot in the order.
“We like to group our hitters in certain extenses and he’s in that extenders group,” Justin-Siena head coach Tayson said of Sebastiani’s importannce. “Their job is to extend at-bats, extend the inning. Cash-in when opportunities present themselves. As a coaching staff, we knew if we got two or three runs from that group of guys, good things would happen. Ben has worked really hard, physically, mentally. I’m especially proud of what he’s done on his mental game.”
Others helping the Justin-Siena offensive attack in the game were Fletcher (3-for-3 2 doubles, 2 runs, 3 RBIs), Giusto (2-for-2 stolen base, 2 runs), Gray (1-for-2 run, 2 RBIs), Butler (1-for-2 stolen base, run, 2 RBIs), Denkin (1-for-2 2 runs), Giovannelli (1-for-2 walk, stolen base, RBI, 2 runs), and Johnson (1-for-3 double, run, RBI).
Getting the win in the game on the hill was Giusto. The senior worked the first four innings where he struck out 7 and walked 2. He also allowed just one hit in the game while throwing 68 pitches. This was the righties fifth winning decision of the season as well.
“Luke wants to win man,” Tayson said of Giusto.”We’re talking legacies and things like that. This school has a long history of guys that just flat-out want to win and Luke’s that guy. So it was a no-brainer for us to give him the ball knowing he’s going to be matched up with their dude. He kept his composure, stayed on top of them and nothing rattled him his foot was on the gas and I think going through league, having some ups and downs may have benefited him.”
Griffin Messenger worked the final inning where he struck out 1 and allowed a hit on 16 pitches. The pitching in the game was so good that no runner even made it to third.
With the win, Justin-Siena advances to the semifinals next Wednesday at 5 pm when they’ll visit No. 1 seed Saint Mary’s in Albany. The Panthers beat No. 8 Healdsburg 8-0 on Saturday to advance.
This will be the third straight year the Braves have been in the section semifinals as well. You can view the updated bracket here.
“We’re really proud of what we’re trying to accomplish here in this program, and really as a school,” Tayson added. “We have a coaching staff that works their butts off. Assistant coaches don’t always get a lot of shine but our staff works their butts off for the lower levels. We bring everyone up for the playoffs. So we got a nice full dugout of everyone who’s has a hand in building up our young people and to see it just shine through deep into May, that’s icing on the cake.”
