The California High School varsity boys baseball team played a double-header at Versailles Thursday, April 25, where the Pintos defeated Southern Boone 8-4, followed by a 14-3 win against Versailles.
"We came to play," California Coach Dwight Fitzwater said. "We displayed 31 hits in two games."
After an even 2-2 first inning and a scoreless second inning, Southern Boone added one run in the third to lead 3-2. The Pintos stepped it up in the fourth inning to bring three runs home and takeover the lead 5-3. The Eagles added one final run in the fifth inning to trail 5-4, however, the Pintos scored three runs in the sixth to seal the deal, 8-4.
"We combined good pitching with great defense and fantastic offense to defeat a very good Southern Boone team," Fitzwater said. "When you play that kind of defense, you're always going to be in the game. We took control in the sixth inning with five consecutive hits to drive three runs in."
Fitzwater added, "Burke Brant pitched a complete game, allowing four runs on six hits. Burke has done a fine job pitching all year. He's given the team consistent performances, which keeps the other team in check. He's also one of the stars of the team with the bat."
Brant struck out two and only walked two.
"Burke and Randy Allee each had three-hit games," Fitzwater said. "Both had two singles and a double and drove in runs."
Jaden Barr and Dylan Albertson were each 2 for 4. Barr had one RBI, while Albertson had three.
"Dylan drove in two runs with a big double in the sixth inning," Fitzwater said.
JT Trachsel, Tyler Silvey, Bret Volmert and Austin Gump each contributed a single.
California had 14 hits to Southern Boone's six.
"We were slow to start our bats off in the second half of our double-header against Versailles," Fitzwater said. "But we got it going in the fourth inning by scoring six runs. Our bats were lacing hits left and right. Nearly everyone in our line-up had a hit."
The Pintos led 5-1 after three innings, then 11-1 after the fourth. Vesailles added one run in the fifth and one in the sixth, however, the Pintos brought three runs home in the sixth to secure the win, 14-3.
Zach Holliday, Brant, Albertson, Silvey and Barr each recorded two hits. Volmert, Allee and Alex Davis each had a single.
"Our big bat was JT Trachsel, who was 4 for 4 and drove in two runs," Fitzwater said.
Silvey, Alex Davis, Allee and Zach Holliday each recorded one RBI.
The Pintos had 17 hits to the Tigers' four.
"We weren't as sharp defensively in the second game, committing several errors to give them their three runs," Fitzwater said. "Jaden Barr had a good outing for his first pitching start this season. He pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing two unearned runs on three hits, striking out two and only walking two."
Volmert finished the game against allowing one unearned run on one hit, striking out one and walking only one.
California will host Harrisburg at 5 p.m. Friday at the California Sports Complex.