On a cold windy evening, the California Pintos trailed 8-1 heading into the last innings. But California scored two runs in the sixth inning and another six runs in the bottom of the seventh to defeat St. Elizabeth, 9-8, April 6.
Jon Pardoe hit the walk-off single, with men on second and third with two outs, to complete the comeback for the Pintos, who had some tough luck early in the game.
St. Elizabeth got off to a hot start, scoring the first run of the game after just two batters, and took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. California answered back by scoring a run of their own in the bottom of the first to make it 2-1.
St. Elizabeth looked to have broken the game open, after scoring four runs in the fourth inning to make it 6-1. In that inning, St. Elizabeth had the bases loaded after their first five batters all made it on base safely.
Later, it was 8-1 in the sixth inning in favor of St. Elizabeth.
But the Pintos, who had been hitting the ball but just couldn't get it through St. Elizabeth's defense, started to find some holes in the last two innings.
Head coach Steve Stock said the team just had to keep getting contact on the ball.
"If you are putting the bat on the ball well, you just have to continue to do so," Stock said. "With good contact, hits will happen."
Hits did happen for the Pintos. In the last two innings, the team was able to put a few hits in a row together. Stock said that in those innings, the Pintos batters were able to get ahead in the count.
"We took some pitches and, when the pitcher fell behind us, we got pitches to hit and the guys hit them well," Stock said.
When it comes to pitching, Stock said the pitchers need to get ahead early in the count.
"This allows them to be able to use more pitches, as well as it puts hitters in a tougher situation, as they cannot sit on one certain pitch," Stock said.
Jacob Wolken had two hits and two RBIs in the game for California. California scored their nine runs on six hits and got on base on three St. Elizabeth errors in the game. The Pintos also struck out eight times in the game.
On the mound for the Pintos, Gabe Bailey pitched three and two-thirds innings and struck out three batters. Braeden Birdsong pitched three and one-third innings and struck out five.
Stock said the comeback showed the team will fight hard.
"It says that they will continue to fight, until the final out is made," Stock said.
California is now 5-2 on the season and is on a two-game winning streak.