The California Pintos hosted Tipton April 7 at the California Sports Complex, where they defeated the Cardinals 15-10.
"I'm very proud of our team," California Coach Jason Gatlin said. "We've been able to win in a multitude of ways. We needed a lot of runs to win against Tipton and our team came through. We were very disciplined at the plate and got timely hitting and a number of walks."
The Cardinals started off with one run in the first inning, as did the Pintos, thanks to a home run by Jaden Barr to even the score at 1-1.
Tipton added two runs in the second to lead 3-1, however, California answered with four runs, including a single by Alex Davis that drove in Austin Gump; another home run and three RBI by Barr; and a single by J.T. Trachsel, and the Pintos led 5-3.
After the Cardinals had a two-run third inning, the Pintos countered with three runs thanks to a single by Randy Allee that drove in Gump; a single by Barr that drove in Allee; and a double by Bret Volmert that drove in Barr, and California led 8-5.
The Pintos added one run in the fourth inning when Allee drove in Drew Norton. The Cardinals scored three runs in the fifth to trail 9-8, then Volmert's double drove Landon Mouse home to give California a 10-8 edge.
The sixth inning was the difference. Tipton scored two runs to tie the score at 10-10, however, California answered with five runs, then held the Cardinals scoreless in the top of the seventh to secure the win, 15-10.
Producing hits for the Pintos in the fifth inning were Mouse with a single and RBI; Barr with a single and RBI; and Volmert with a double and RBI. Two of California's runs were walked in.
The Pintos ended up with 13 hits, as did the Cardinals.
Zach Holliday pitched until midway through the fifth inning for California and recorded three strikeouts, then Trachsel came in and pitched through the sixth inning and recorded four strikeouts. Barr pitched the seventh inning and had one strikeout.
The Pintos traveled to Hallsville April 8, where they lost 7-2 to the Indians.
Hallsville started off with a six-run first inning to take an early lead. The Indians added one run in the fourth to lead 7-0. The Pintos got into the scoring action in the sixth inning with one run, then added another in the seventh, but Hallsville took the win, 7-2.
"This was a tough loss," California Coach Jason Gatlin said. "We had five errors."
Burke Brant pitched six innings for California and recorded six strikeouts.
Barr led Pinto bats with three hits and one RBI. Mouse contributed a hit as well.
California's JV lost a close contest to Hallsville, 3-1.
After a scoreless first inning, the JV game was tied up at 1-1 going into the third inning. Hallsville added one run in the third and another in the fourth to secure the win.
The JV Pintos had three hits to Hallsville's six hits. Eli Freeman pitched two innings for California and recorded four strikeouts. Drew Norton led California's JV hits with two.
The Pintos traveled to Clinton Thursday, where the varsity captured a 9-5 win.
California took an early 8-0 lead after the second inning, then added one run in the third to lead 9-0. Clinton got into the scoring action in the fifth inning with four runs, then added one run in the sixth to trail 9-5. The Pintos held Clinton scoreless in the final two innings to secure the win, 9-5.
Mouse and Trachsel led California hits with two each and one RBI each.
"We were a long way from home and the boys were tired, so it was good to get a win," Gatlin said. "Zach Holliday pitched a good game, and we ended up with 10 hits."
California's JV game went five innings and ended in a tie at 9-9.
California hosted St. Elizabeth Friday, which was Senior Night for the Pintos, where the varsity captured a 10-3 victory. Seniors Volmert, Trachsel, Brant, Holliday, Gump, Davis and Allee were recognized along with their parents via a special ceremony after the varsity game.
"It was a great night," Gatlin said. "We had a great turnout from the community for Senior Night. It was exciting to see so much support. Turf Management from the high school painted the field and the seniors' numbers on the hill. It was great."
After a scoreless first inning, the Pintos got started in the second with four runs thanks to a double and RBI from Mouse, a single and RBI by Gump, a single and RBI from Allee, and Holliday's RBI, and California led 4-0 going into the third inning. The Pintos added three runs in the third after a double by Volmert, a single by Barr, Brant's RBI, and a home run and two RBI by Mouse put the Pintos ahead 7-0. St. Elizabeth scored one run in the fourth, and another in the fifth to trail 7-2.
California added two runs in the fifth thanks to a double and RBI by Barr, then Barr stole home and the Pintos led 9-2.
The Hornets added one run in the sixth inning, as did the Pintos after Gump got on base with a single then stole home to move California's lead to 10-3. The Pintos held the Hornets off in the seventh inning to end the game and take the win, 10-3.
"I think this is the best we've played this season," Gatlin said. "Burke pitched a good game and J.T. came in and did a good job of holding them."
Brant pitched through the fifth inning and recorded five strikeouts. Trachsel stepped in and finished the game, recording two strikeouts.
"Six of our players had RBI's," Gatlin said. "We're really starting to come together as a team. We had a great week overall. We scored 36 runs to our opponents' 25 runs."
California produced nine hits to St. Elizabeth's seven.
"It was a long week," Gatlin said. "We had four games in five days. But overall it was a great week."
California's JV captured a 7-3 win from the Hornets.
California (7-3) will host Osage at 5 p.m. Thursday.