Pintos to play in district tourney Saturday

The California Pintos will see action on the diamond next at the Class 3 District 8 Baseball Tournament beginning May 17 at Montgomery City. The seeding meeting is tonight (Wednesday), therefore game times have not been released, but will be available at californiak12.org and www.mshsaa.org.

"I'm excited about districts," California Coach Jason Gatlin said. "We hope to see all of our fans there. The game times will be released after the meeting. We should be able to match up with any team we face."

Previously, the Pintos were on the road to Columbia May 5 for games against Battle High School, where California lost 4-2 to the 5A Spartans.

Battle scored two runs in the second inning to lead 2-0. California got into the action in the sixth inning to even the score at 2-2, however, the Spartans answered with two runs in the sixth to lead 4-2, then held the Pintos scoreless in the final frame to secure the win, 4-2.

Burke Brant recorded the loss with four strikeouts.

Jaden Barr and Brant led California hits with two each, and Bret Volmert contributed one RBI.

"We played a good, quality game and had runners in scoring position," Gatlin said. "We just couldn't get that timely hit to put us over the top."

California's JV also lost a close contest to the Spartans, 3-2.

Jackson Trachsel led California hits with two and had one RBI. Sam Kirby contributed one hit.

"It came down to the final play of the game when they had a walk off single," Gatlin said. "It was a good game."

California (10-7) played Blair Oaks Tuesday, May 13, at Wardsville, however, game results were not available at press time.