Tigers in first place with two games left on schedule
The Analy Tigers are closing in on the Sonoma County League baseball championship, thanks in large part to a pair of wins on the last week.
At press time the Tigers (17-5, 9-1) had just two games left on the league schedule, beginning with a May 10 rematch with El Molino, followed by the SCL finale at Piner this Friday, May 13 (4 p.m.). Should Analy win both games, it will capture the league title outright.
The Tigers got considerable help in their title quest when Sonoma Valley beat Petaluma on Friday, knocking them into second place.
Entering the final week of the regular season, the Tigers (9-1) were a full game up on Petaluma (8-2) and two ahead of Sonoma Valley (7-3). Rounding out the league standings were El Molino (4-6), Piner (4-6), Healdsburg (4-7) and Elsie Allen (0-11).
El Molino (8-12 overall) remains very much in the hunt for a top-four finish in league and a spot in the SCL Playoff Tournament next week after a crucial win over Piner on May 6. The schedule does not favor the Lions however, who close out the season this week with away games at Analy (May 10) and Petaluma (May 13, 4 p.m.).
The SCL baseball playoffs will be played under the lights at Arnold Field in Sonoma on May 17-19.
Tigers in driver’s seat
Analy took a huge step toward a league pennant on May 3 when it played host to Sonoma Valley, sending Gabe Werthimer to the hill opposite Dragon’s ace Carson Snyder. Sonoma struck first with a pair of first-inning runs, but the Tigers answered with one in the second and three in the third to take the lead. With Werthimer on cruise control, Analy iced it with another two-run rally in the fourth en route to a 6-2 win. Â
Werthimer (complete game, 10 hits, 2 ERs) was masterful in victory, while top hitters were Johnny Gomes (2 for 3), and Taylor Cullen (2 for 4). The Dragons issued 10 walks in the game.
The suspense was over early in the May 5 clash with winless Elsie Allen, as the home-standing Tigers torched Lobos’ pitching for a combined 13 runs in the third and fourth innings to force a stoppage after five in a 15-0 Analy win. Winning pitcher Mason Snodgrass allowed just one hit to the first batter he faced in tossing a five-inning, two-hit gem. Pacing the offense were Ryan Calderon (3 for 3, 3 RBIs), Snodgrass (3 for 4, 3 RBIs) and Drew Valez (2 for 2, 2 RBIs).
Lions blank Prospectors
El Molino turned in arguably its best all-around game of the season in their May 6 visit to Piner, riding the strong arm of Kyle Kaasch (7 IP, 5 hits, CG) in an outstanding pitching performance. The Lions drew blood in the third inning, when Sam Wilson and Wesley Hamner led off with singles, followed by a sacrifice bunt from Jake Peter to move the runners up. Austin Sani then laced a two-run double to give Kaasch all the runs he would need en route to a 2-0 win.
Top hitters were Sani (2 for 4, 2B, 2 RBIs), Justin Schaap (1 for 1), Wilson (1 for 4, run), Jake Peter (1 for 2) and Gus Guerne (1 for 2).Â
