The race for the Sonoma County League baseball title will likely come down to the wire, as Analy and Petaluma battle for the coveted crown.
Things tightened up considerably on April 29 when the Trojans edged the Tigers, 4-3 in a tense rematch in Petaluma, giving both teams a share of the top spot at 7-1. Rounding out the league standings were Sonoma Valley (6-2), Piner (3-5), El Molino (3-6), Healdsburg (3-6) and Elsie Allen (0-8).
At the start of play this week the Tigers (15-5 overall) were prepping for upcoming home dates with Sonoma Valley (May 3), Elsie Allen (May 5) and Tuesday, May 10 versus El Molino (Senior Day, 4 p.m.). Analy will wrap up the regular season with a May 13 visit to Piner.
Meanwhile, the Lions (6-12) gained a split in a pair of SCL outings last week, combining a 10-0 win over Elsie Allen with a 12-1 loss to Healdsburg. At press time El Mo was preparing to close out the season with road games at Piner (May 6), Analy (May 10) and Petaluma (May 13). All games start at 4 p.m.
The April 29 rematch between the league’s best was unlike the first meeting, which the Tigers won easily, 11-3. The Trojans set the tone with two runs in the first, but Analy answered with solo runs in the third, fifth and seventh to knot the contest at 3-3. The Trojans pushed across the winning run in their last at-bat to walk-off for a 4-3 win. The Tigers managed just three hits in the game (no stats reported).
In one other game last week, Analy paid Healdsburg a visit on April 26 at Recreation Park, as the Tigers tallied six runs in the first two frames on their way to a 6-1 win.
Mason Snodgrass (3 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 4 Ks) earned the win, while Evan Peelen (3 IP, 2 hits, 1 ER, 4 Ks) and Devon Ogston (1 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 3 Ks) also pitched well in relief. Top hitters were Jacob Beeler (1 for 1, 2 runs), Johnny Gomes (1 for 1, 2 RBIs) and Nolan Alvarez (1 for 3, 2 runs, RBI).
Lions gain split
El Mo made short work of visiting Elsie Allen on April 29, staking winning pitcher Kyle Kaasch (5 IP, 3 hits, 0 runs, 6 Ks) to a big early lead en route to a 10-0, five-inning victory. Swinging hot bats for the Lions were Gus Guerne (3 for 3, 2 runs, RBI), Sam Wilson (3 for 3, 2 2Bs, run, 2 RBIs), Jake Peter (2 for 3, 2B, 2 runs), Austin Sani (2 for 3, 2B, 3 RBIs), Wesley Hamner (1 for 3, run), Ian Siegert (1 for 1, run, RBI), Johny Barber (1 for 1, 2B, run, RBI) and Clay Serrano (1 for 1, RBI).
The wheels came off early in the Lion’s April 29 meeting with visiting Healdsburg, spotting the Greyhounds 12 runs in the first four frames in a 12-1, five-inning loss. El Molino was held to three hits.    Â
