FORESTVILLE – The league-leading Analy Tigers retained local bragging rights in the first of two scheduled meetings with cross-town rival El Molino on April 15, powering past the home-standing Lions, 10-2.
The suspense was over early, as Analy combined for eight unanswered runs in the first two innings to stake starting pitcher Ryan Calderon to a big early lead, keeping the Tigers all alone atop the Sonoma County League standings with a record of 5-0 and 13-4 overall.
In other games last week, the Tigers scored a 5-0 non-league home victory over Novato, while the Lions dropped a pair of decisions to Piner (6-2) and Willits (5-4).
At the start of play this week, Analy was one game up on second place Petaluma (4-1), followed by Sonoma Valley (3-2), El Molino (2-3), Piner (2-3), Healdsburg (2-3) and Elsie Allen (0-6).
This week the Tigers (13-4 overall) have scheduled dates with Elsie Allen (April 19, after press time) and Tuesday, April 26 at Healdsburg (7 p.m.). The Lions (5-9) continue their home-stand with games versus Petaluma (April 19), Sonoma Valley (Friday, April 22, 4 p.m.) and Elsie Allen (April, 26, 4 p.m.).
Tigers bats come alive
Analy displayed the offensive firepower that has stamped them as the league favorite in the April 15 visit to El Molino, roughing up Lions starter Austin Cassidy (1 IP, 5 hits, 3 ERs) for three runs in the first inning and five more in the second. Ian Siegert (6 IP, 3 hits, 1 ER, 2 Ks) came on to stop the bleeding for the final six frames, but the damage was done. Calderon (4 IP, 2 hits, 0 ERs, 2 Ks), gave way to relievers Jack Newman (2 IP, 2 hits, 2 ERs, 2 Ks) and Devon Ogston (1 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 2 Ks) en route to a 10-2 win.
Top hitters for the Tigers included Newman (2 for 2, 3 RBIs), Ogston (2 for 4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs), Jacob Beeler (1 for 2, 2B, 2 runs, 2 RBIs), Gabe Werthimer (1 for 1), Drew Valez (1 for 3), Taylor Cullen (1 for 3, run, RBI) and Johnny Gomes (1 for 3, RBI).
Leading the El Molino attack were TJ Schooley (1 for 3, run), Sam Wilson (1 for 2), Jake Peter (1 for 3, run) and Clay Serano (1 for 1).
Analy played host to Novato in a non-league clash on April 12, riding a strong effort by winning pitcher Evan Peelen (5.2 IP, 1 hit, 0 ERs, 7 Ks) in a 5-0 win. Swinging hot bats for the Tigers were Nolan Alvarez (2 for 3, 2 runs, 2 RBIs), Ogston (2 for 3, run), Beeler (1 for 2, 2B, 2 RBIs) and Cullen (1 for 3, 2B).
The Lions sent starter Kyle Kaasch (4 IP, 5 hits, 5 ERs, 5 Ks) to the hill in the April 12 meeting with visiting Piner, as the Prospectors to charged with three runs in the second and another pair in the fourth on their way to a 6-2 win. Leading El Mo hitters were Josh VanRillear (3 for 4, run), Sam Wilson (1 for 3), Wesley Hamner (1 for 2), Serano (1 for 2, run) and Siegert (1 for 4).
