Pintos pocket conference win against Indians

The California Pinto baseball teams hosted Osage Thursday at the California Sports Complex, where the varsity pocketed a big 12-2 conference win against the Indians.

After three innings, California led 3-2, however, the Pintos turned up the heat to score three runs in the fourth inning, two in the fifth and four in the sixth, while holding the Indians scoreless, to secure a 12-2 win in six innings.

Burke Brant recorded the win with six strikeouts.

California had 15 hits to Osage's four.

"We settled in and scored runs in the last half of the game to put them away and get our first conference win," California Coach Jason Gatlin said. "Eight of nine players had RBIs."

Gatlin added, "Burke pitched a complete game and our defense behind him was great; we just shut them down."

J.T. Trachsel led California bats with four hits and two RBI.

"J.T. played one of his best games of the season," Gatlin said.

Landon Mouse had three hits and two RBI, and Bret Volmert also had two hits.

California's JV also defeated Osage, 11-0 in four innings, with Eli Freeman pitching a no-hitter and striking out six.

"Eli had a great game," Gatlin said. "He had three strikeouts in one inning. Just fantastic."

California's JV scored four runs in the first inning, one in the second, two in the third and four in the fourth while holding Osage scoreless, to pocket the win, 11-0.

Sam Kirby led California hits with two, and had two RBI. Alex Dalbey also had two hits. Jackson Trachsel had one hit and one RBI and Matt Oerly recorded two RBI.

The Pintos traveled to Cole Camp for a make-up game Monday night, where the varsity captured a 17-2 win in five innings, and the JV Pintos defeated the Bluebirds 7-1.

California (8-3) will host Versailles at 5 p.m. Friday.