SAN JOSE — Bellarmine scored two runs within the high of the primary inning and virtually made them arise. However Valley Christian, the No. 1 ranked crew within the Bay Space Information Group’s High 20, scored 4 runs within the backside of the sixth to drag out a 5-2 victory Wednesday
The Warriors trailed 2-1 heading into the sixth. Bellarmine starter Wade Mountz obtained the primary out earlier than strolling Brock Kettelsen on a 3-2 pitch and giving up a single to middle by Jordan Ortiz. Bellarmine coach Nate Sutton went to his bullpen then, bringing in Paul Montgomery with a 1-0 rely on Jacob Hudson.
Montgomery and Mountz are Bellarmine’s two high pitchers. Montgomery is available in from the facet with a movement that may be problematic for right-handed batters. However Hudson, the 2022 West Catholic Athletic League MVP, doubled to right-center, bringing in each runners and giving his crew a 3-2 lead.
“We had been anticipating to see him earlier within the week so we had been working towards in opposition to that sinker a little bit bit,” Hudson stated. “I knew going up there I used to be going to see a pitch low and on the within and wanted to go inside-out with it.”
Hunter Fujimoto reached on a fielder’s selection when the Bellarmine shortstop threw to 3rd in an unsuccessful try to chop down Hudson, reasonably than take the surer out at first. After which leadoff hitter Carmelo Rivera laid down an ideal squeeze bunt, and beat it out besides.
“We work on it each day and it’s an enormous a part of my recreation,” Rivera stated. “I used to be simply glad to get it carried out.”
Tatum Marsh’s fly out to middle introduced within the fourth run of the inning.
“Issues weren’t understanding for us early,” Valley Christian coach John Diatte stated. “We had been leaving runners in scoring place after which Huddy obtained the important thing hit, the clutch hit. We simply wanted the correct alternative and for somebody to come back by.”
Then it was all as much as Alec Belardes, who got here on in aid of starter Michael Castaneda and set down the Bells 1-2-3 within the seventh with two strikeouts for the save.
Castaneda went the primary six innings, permitting six hits and the 2 first-inning runs with no walks and 6 strikeouts to enhance to 7-1 on the season.
“They’ve been a pleasant crew for us right here all through their careers, since their sophomore 12 months,” Diatte stated. “It was good to have Alec to shut it out as we speak.”
Valley Christian (14-3, 7-0) solidified its maintain on first place within the West Catholic Athletic League standings. Third-place Bellarmine is 11-5-1 total, 4-3 in league.
“This was an enormous recreation for us,” Hudson stated. “In first place untouched, no one near us. To win this recreation as we speak was large.”
“Simply to get a league win is big,” Diatte stated. “The WCAL is a dogfight from high tro backside.”
No. 5-ranked Bellarmine got here out swinging within the high of the primary. Nolan Randol led off the sport with a single to middle and moved to second on Chase Knight’s single to left. They had been on second and third with two out when Luke Rooney doubled to left-center to convey them each in.
The Bells put runners on within the subsequent three innings and obtained a leadoff double from Thomas Trombatore within the sixth, however couldn’t push throughout any extra runs.
“We had loads of possibilities,” Sutton stated. “That’s the story of the WCAL and baseball typically, The crew with large hits in large moments is often the one which goes on.”
Mountz held Valley scoreless the primary three innings and had two out with none on within the fourth when Kettlesen singled, stole second and scored on a single to proper by Ortiz.
“We didn’t play protection very properly as we speak,” Sutton stated. “If we do a greater job executing and taking part in protection we’re proper within the recreation.”