After four static innings, the Santa Rosa Junior College baseball team discovered that good things certainly come to those who wait when it earned a 4-0 in a home game against the Sierra College Wolverines April 24.
High hopes for the Bear Cubs arose in the bottom of the first inning after a single from centerfielder Matt LoCoco.
Shortstop Phil Ramos then took a long shot by attempting a triple, but did not make it to third base before Sierra’s quick reactions.
The inning ended without a run.
The next three innings went by with no score, but the Bear Cubs regained its momentum in the fifth inning when SRJC’s Taylor Martin led off with a single.
Designated hitter Anthony Bender followed with another single down left centerfield.
Outfielder Parker Shaw mixed it up with a bunt and made it to first base, loading the bases.
Catcher Spencer Neve then achieved a double, bringing in all three runners to give the Bear Cubs a 3-0 advantage.
The excitement did not end there, for LoCoco stepped up to the plate and got a single after a bunt, bringing Neve to scoring position.
Ramos then hit a sac fly to bring in Neve and put one more run on the board for SRJC.
“It was a good offensive inning,” said head coach Damon Neidlinger. “It was something we were capable of doing.”
Defense almost lost its balance in the sixth inning when starting pitcher Brandon Hagerla loaded the bases for Sierra. However, Hagerla and the other defensive players kept up their strength as they left Sierra stranded with a double play to end the inning.
Bender took Hagerla’s spot on the mound in the eighth inning after a pitching change. He lead off the inning with an out against Sierra’s Ethan Little, then getting two more Wolverines out.
The Bear Cubs kept up their efficient teamwork to end the game with a 4-0 shutout.
The team is most proud with how well its offense performed.
“We really put the ball on the ground,” said second baseman Chase Stafford.
Now preparing for the upcoming playoffs, the Bear Cubs will keep up their normal practice and playing routines to keep in order. The regional playoffs start on May 2.
