By Frances Andrews

Fittingly, the Davis junior varsity baseball team wrapped up its season with a May 7 game against its biggest rival, Elk Grove.

In a contest that bore many resemblances — including the final score — to the teams’ first match-up of the season, the outcome was in question right down to the last out. This time the Blue Devils came up short, 2-1.

The first inning saw the bulk of the minimal scoring, as Elk Grove scored one run on three well-placed hits off of DHS starter Kyle England.

The Devils, however, wasted no time in returning the favor in the bottom of the first.

Just as he had in the previous game against the Thundering Herd, leadoff hitter Andrew Bolich blasted a double off The Grove’s Mike Walter. A groundout advanced him to third and Nate Curtis’ sacrifice fly brought him home, just as it had in the first matchup.

From then on, similarities to the 7-2 Davis loss from earlier this season ended, as both pitchers settled down for two scoreless innings. Elk Grove went scoreless the next two frames, thanks in part to Quentin McCray’s leaping catch that became a frame-ending double play.

In the fourth, the Herd pieced together a walk, a sacrifice bunt and a hit for the margin of victory. Still, nice catches by local outfielders Jared McNece and Noel Parente limited the damage.

After that, DHS’ Brendan Pohl came on for three innings of scoreless relief, while the Blue Devil defense was spot-on with yet another double play and a runner caught stealing. But, despite getting several hits, Davis could manage no more runs against a near-flawless Elk Grove defense.

The Devils had their best chance in the bottom of the seventh when England was hit by a pitch and a Herd mistake allowed speedy Solomon Biers-Ariel to reach base.

With two outs, McCray came up for a determined and lengthy at-bat that ended with a very close out at first base.

Even with that result, DHS ended its season with a strong 10-5 Delta Valley Conference record and a scrappy 13-14 overall mark.

Comments

comments