Yellowjackets sting Bruins 11-2 to take season series
The victory is capped by an eight run fifth inning that puts the game out of reach for the district rival
Anthony Aguayo crushes the baseball for an RBI triple in the first inning against Bloomington.
Colton, CA—Raymond Ramirez watched his teammates warming up from the dugout, ready for this bounce back game against Bloomington High School. On Tuesday, Colton lost 7-6 in a game that went nine innings. Now, back at home, he had one thing on his mind.
“Payback. Revenge. Come back stronger,” said the sophomore starting pitcher.
The Yellowjackets definitely came back stronger in this rematch against their district rivals, overwhelming the Bruins in this one, 11-2.
Ramirez gave up two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts in this game. Outside of a fluke inside the park home run by junior David Barrajas in the third, Ramirez had the game under control. And the defense had his back, making no errors on their home diamond.
On offense, Anthony Aguayo had a big game, going 2-for-2 with an RBI triple in the first inning and a double in the third. Juan Valdivia hit 2-for-4 with a triple in the third inning.
“We have a pretty good lineup,” Aguayo said about his teammates.
The game stayed close through the first three innings, with Colton holding on to a 3-2 edge. Then, in the fifth, the Bruins fell apart, walking five, throwing two wild pitches that let in two runs, and making fielding mistakes. The Yellowjackets took full advantage, scoring eight runs and putting the game out of reach. Robert Valenzuela continued producing timely pinch hits, hitting a two-run single that scored Adan Sanchez and Valdivia. And Donovan Mendoza whapped a two-run double, scoring Ramirez and Aguayo.
After working six strong innings, Ramirez was relieved by Roman Torrero, who pitched a shutout seventh inning to end the game and make sure Colton finished 2-1 against Bloomington on the season.
“Tuesday’s loss was a disappointment,” manager Scott Mendoza said. “We left a lot of runners on base. Today we got the clutch hits to get that big inning . . . and now we got the series.”
Now the Yellowjackets (3-2 in San Andreas; 8-6 overall) turn their sights on division leaders Grand Terrace High, who are currently 3-1 in the San Andreas League (overall 8-12-1). They play the Titans twice next week, on Tuesday at home and on Thursday at Grand Terrace. In their first meeting of the season on March 15, the Yellowjackets got the win, 1-0.
“I’m pretty sure we can just beat them if we come out playing the way we play,” said Aguayo.
“We’re looking for a battle,” said Mendoza. “It’s always a competitive thing playing Grand Terrace. They’re our archrivals.”
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