The varsity baseball Eagles have hit a rough patch on the preseason circuit this month, running into some outstanding pitching in a recent four-game losing skid.
The Eagles (3-4) began their latest stretch in a March 15 visit to Justin Siena, managing just five hits in a 9-2 loss to the Braves.
On Monday, Cloverdale ventured south to Santa Rosa, again struggling to manufacture runs en route to a 12-1 setback.
The loss was the team’s fourth in a row after starting the season with three straight wins.
“Against strong opponents we’ve shown some signs of good baseball play, but we’ve seen some phenomenal pitching the past two weeks that will prepare us better for a league match-up,” Eagle’s coach Ben West reported. “From that standpoint as a coaching staff we’ve seen what needs to be improved on and we will continue to work on these things.”
The March 15 visit to Justin Siena started well enough for the Eagles, jumping out to a 2-1 lead before the Braves pushed across a combined eight runs in the third and fourth innings. The lead was more than enough as Justin Siena cruised to a 9-2 win.
Sharing mound duties for Cloverdale were Dylan Scaramella (2.2 IP, 2 hits, 3 ERs, 2 Ks), Keller Sibert (2.2 IP, 1 hit, 0 runs) and Tyler Ruys (.2 IP, 4 hits, 3 ERs). Hitting safely were Sibert (2 for 4), Tucker Morgan (1 for 3), Max Sanders (1 for 2) and Logan Axell (1 for 3).
The Eagles will open the NCL 1 season this Thursday, March 21 when they host Clear Lake in a 4 p.m. clash at City Field.
“The boys are working hard at practice to prepare for the start of league,” West noted. “Our goal is to continue to work hard and have confidence in what we can accomplish in league this season.”
