The Santa Rosa Junior College baseball team put on a powerful offensive display to dominate Diablo Valley 10-0 in a conference game, Friday, March 27, at Cook Sypher Field, completing a three-game sweep of the team this season.
Santa Rosa struck first in the second inning when catcher RJ Johnson singled to left field, bringing home two runs for a 2-0 lead.
Reflecting on the team’s mindset, Johnson said, “Just play pretty much like we did today. Don’t take the team for granted, and just go out there and win.”
The Bear Cubs scored again in the fifth inning when first baseman J.T Summers hit a two-run home run, scoring third baseman Trevor Schlafer, to make it 4-0.
Santa Rosa kept the pressure on in the seventh when second baseman Brett Neidlinger launched a two-run home run, scoring Summers to make it 6-0.
Assistant coach Tom Francois said the team’s disciplined approach at the plate was key to their offensive success. “The hitting game is predicated on line drives. We have to focus on competing in the box, not giving up anything,” he said. “You got a two-strike count on you. You gotta battle. You have to follow pitches off, work into a walk, work into a base hit. And that’s what we did today,” Francois added.
The Bear Cubs put the game out of reach in the eighth inning with four runs. Schlafer singled to score left fielder Clay De Mars. Summers followed with a two-run single that scored Schlafer and center fielder Cooper Wood. Pinch-hitter Justice Brinson grounded out to score Summers for the final run.
Santa Rosa’s pitchers dominated the game. Elijah Hackathorn threw two hitless innings, Lucas Hermes allowed two hits over five scoreless innings with four strikeouts, and Cody Collins closed with two shutout innings.
Hermes credited his success to experience against Diablo Valley and encouragement from his teammates. “For sure, it helps having experience and having guys out here that are rooting me on and cheering for me,” he said.
Santa Rosa completed a sweep of Sequoias the following week and defeated Sacramento City 9-2 away from home on Tuesday, April 7.
