Live Oak beats Leigh as UCLA commit helps keep title hopes alive

byDuc Manh •July 18, 2023

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SAN JOSE — Landon Stump was pitching Tuesday for Stay Oak, so the blokes with the radar weapons confirmed up behind dwelling plate.

Stump, the senior right-hander dedicated to UCLA, pitched and likewise hit Stay Oak to an 8-3 victory over Leigh — an final result that put Leigh’s plans to rejoice a division title at dwelling on maintain.

Leigh went into the sport with a two-game lead over Stay Oak, Pioneer and Branham within the Blossom Valley Athletic League’s Mt. Hamilton Division with two video games left. The Stay Oak win reduce Leigh’s result in one recreation over all three after Pioneer beat Leland 1-0 and Branham defeated Sobrato 11-1. Leigh and Stay Oak will play once more Thursday in Morgan Hill.

Live Oak starting pitcher Landon Stump (5) is congratulated at the end of the top of the seventh inning after hitting a three-run double against Leigh High School at Leigh High School in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) — Stay Oak beginning pitcher Landon Stump (5) is congratulated on the finish of the highest of the seventh inning after hitting a three-run double in opposition to Leigh Excessive College at Leigh Excessive College in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Might 9, 2023. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)

Stump was constant at 92 miles per hour together with his fastball, topping out now and again at 93 and 94. Leigh obtained to him for 2 runs within the first inning. After which after falling behind 3-2, tied it up in Stump’s ultimate inning, the sixth.

Leigh left-hander Colter Hanson additionally went six innings and saved the Longhorns proper there, on the cusp of clinching a title. However he was taken out after 95 pitches and the roof fell in on the Leigh bullpen within the seventh when Stay Oak exploded for 5 runs — three on a bases-loaded double by Stump, who additionally had a two-run double within the fourth.

“My pitching wasn’t pretty much as good as I would really like, however got here by way of hitting,” Stump mentioned.

Regardless of his faculty dedication, professional scouts are evaluating him for doable inclusion within the Main League Baseball draft.

“I wouldn’t say I’m leaning both approach,” Stump mentioned. “Simply see what occurs the subsequent few months.”

Live Oak's Mateo Torres (10) slides safely into third base against Leigh's Nate Miller (18) in the seventh inning at Leigh High School in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) — Stay Oak’s Mateo Torres (10) slides safely into third base in opposition to Leigh’s Nate Miller (18) within the seventh inning at Leigh Excessive College in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Might 9, 2023. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)

Stay Oak (16-9, 11-6) scored within the high of the primary on a sacrifice fly by Ethan Lopez. Leigh (17-9, 12-5) got here again with two within the backside half. Nate Miller doubled in a run and scored on Dom Panella’s single.

Stump’s two-run double within the fourth made it 3-2 Stay Oak. Leigh tied it within the sixth when Miller obtained his third hit in a row, and second double of the sport, to guide off. The subsequent two batters, Ollie Obenour and Panella, each laid down profitable bunts with Miller scoring.

The Acorns blew it open within the seventh. The primary three batters walked to load the bases. Diego Castellanos singled up the center to plate two runs after which Stump chased dwelling three extra together with his bases-clearing double.

Leigh might want to bounce again with a win on Thursday to seize an outright title. Nevertheless it received’t be straightforward. Stay Oak’s different ace, Aidan Keenan, can be on the mound. Keenan, a Stanford commit, is 3-1 with a 0.96 ERA, 15 hits allowed in 39 innings with 66 strikeouts.

Live Oak's Michael Volkman (25) celebrates after scoring a run next to Live Oak's Aidan Keenan (2) on a two-run double hit by Live Oak starting pitcher Landon Stump (5) against Leigh High School in the fourth inning at Leigh High School in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Live Oak's Ethan Lopez (30) also scored. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) — Stay Oak’s Michael Volkman (25) celebrates after scoring a run subsequent to Stay Oak’s Aidan Keenan (2) on a two-run double hit by Stay Oak beginning pitcher Landon Stump (5) in opposition to Leigh Excessive College within the fourth inning at Leigh Excessive College in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Might 9, 2023. Stay Oak’s Ethan Lopez (30) additionally scored. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)

“We’ll do what we have to do to prepare, offensively and defensively,” Leigh coach Drew Marino mentioned. “It'll begin with a very good day of follow tomorrow after which we’ll go down and battle at Stay Oak on Thursday.”

The Acorns are two-time defending Mt. Hamilton Division champions. A win Thursday would give them a bit of one other title, one which might be shared by two, three and even 4 groups.

“We’ll play our hardest on Thursday and attempt to sweep them,” Stump mentioned.