Justin-Siena’s offense erupts in fourth to put game away after scoring in every inning prior to start season with win over Wood
By Kyle Foster, photo courtesy of Shelby Padgett
Twitter/X: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews
Lots of offense is always nice to see early in the season. It’s even nicer in the first game of the new season.
On Saturday afternoon at Braves Ballpark, Justin-Siena showcased its offensive firepower, routing Wood of Vacaville 13-0 with a five-inning mercy-rule win in its opener.
The Braves (1-0) put up some crooked numbers every chance. But it all began in the first when they scored three runs to get the offense going. Noah Giovannelli walked and got to second on a Jake Fletcher single before stealing third and scoring on a wild pitch. Fletcher moved up to second when Drew Sangiacomo walked before getting to second on a wild pitch. Both Fletcher and Sangaicomo scored on a Henry Meyers sacrifice fly to center field.
Justin-Siena added two more runs in the second to go up 5-0. It started when Charlie Im walked and got to second base on a wild pitch. He later scored when Fletcher doubled down the left-field line. When Meyers reached on an error, Fletcher scored.
In the third, the Braves tallied one more when Braeden Butler was hit by a pitch and got to second on an errant backpack at first base, and then a swipe of third. Butler came in on an errant throw into right field on a pickoff attempt at first base.
“We did a good job of extending at-bats, getting deep into counts, and just taking what the guy gave us, like you were saying, and capitalizing on the bases,” Justin-Siena head coach Jeremy Tayson explained. “Some really good base running on on our guys this part. They’re hunting pitches to hit, and they’re hunting bags to take.”
Justin-Siena blew the game open with a seven spot in the fourth. During this inning, they were able to take advantage of every free base given. After all, they had a good eye at the plate in this inning by taking 6 walks.
“My goodness, we were seeing the ball well, weren’t we?” Justin-Siena senior Spencer Nelson said of the offensive eruption. “I mean, Drew (Sangiacomo) four walks today. Amazing eye out there today. I don’t know, man, we’re locked in right now.”
Leading the Braves offensive attack in the contest were Fletcher (2-for-3 double, stolen base, 2 runs scored, 2 RBIs), Tommy Malloy (2-for-4 run, 2 RBIs), Giovanelli (1-for-2 double, RBI, 2 stolen bases, 2 runs, 2 walks), Nelson (1-for-2 double), and Xiano Ortega (2-for-3 double, walk, stolen base, 2 runs, 2 RBIs).
Wood (2-1) had very few chances to score. In the first, they had runners on first and second and couldn’t capitalize. Then, in the second, they had a runner on second and didn’t score. In the fourth, they also got runners on first and second before blowing that opportunity.
Getting the win on the hill in the game for Justin-Siena was Nelson. He worked 3 ⅔ innings where he struck out 7 and walked 1. He also allowed 2 hits and threw 50 pitches on the way to getting his first winning decision of the season.
“I’ve been working a lot on my fastball this off-season, just learning to get it in the zone a little bit,” Nelson explained of the strong fastball command he had in the game. “I’ve been a little wild recently, but yeah, I’ve been working really hard.”
Nelson had to navigate some trouble in the first where he struck out the side but also plunked a pair of batters to create some trouble. After that, he calmed down and finished the job.
Finishing the game for the Braves was junior right-hander Griffin Messenger who worked the final 1 ⅓ innings. He struck out 3 and gave up 1 hit all while throwing 17 pitches.
With the win, Justin-Siena has now won 7 of their last 8 home openers dating back to 2017. It’s an impressive streak and it’s just nice to get the first win out of the way so early.
“It’s always good to get off on the right foot,” Tayson pointed out. “And everyone got in the game today and feels like they made a positive contribution. So that’s icing on the on the cake, too. So to get to get a win in the books feels good.”
Justin-Siena will host Concord on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m., and Wood will host American Canyon on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.
