Clouds loomed overhead and a crisp breeze blew in from left field as two teams from neighboring high schools began play on Tuesday night; Cloverdale visiting Healdsburg.
“I play Cloverdale every year, it’s where I’m from,” said Healdsburg head coach Mark Domenichelli. “Danielle’s done a great job of bringing that program back. So it’ll be a good test tonight.”
Danielle Bird was named athletic director of Cloverdale High last year, and is listed as head coach of the baseball team as well.
Domenichelli has done a pretty solid job for Healdsburg, too. Last year they made it to the second round of the NCS Championship, though there’s room for improvement. Now a number of players have returned from last year’s roster, and a quiet optimism prevails.
“We’re just a little bit inconsistent right now,” said the coach about the 2025 team. The Greyhounds had a 2-1 record as the game began, losing their home opener to St. Helena 3-1. They then bounced back to beat Middleton, 6-0, and trounce Credo, 8-1.
Several returning players brought their hot bats with them: Hayden Mariani and Henry Smith both hitting above .500, and Alex Mauro-Manos continuing strong both at the plate with a .375 average, and as a pitcher. He was a co-winner of the league’s Pitcher of the Year award last year, and he’s still a junior this year.
Eric Nielson, a senior, was named to start the Cloverdale game. Said the coach, “We have six seniors on the team. Johnny Wallace is behind the plate this year taking over for Wyatt Dugan,” the only former Greyhound mentioned.
He pointed out the other returning players, including Mariani, Xander Harms and Isaiah Robles, as warm-ups ended. Then the managers met the umpires at home plate for a ground-rules discussion before the national anthem.
Nielsen struggled in the top of the first inning, loading the bases with only one out on a hit and two walks. The coach called for someone to loosen up. Then Nielsen righted the ship and struck out the next two batters.
In their half of the first, the Greyhounds slapped and slugged the ball around, stole bases and got caught at it, too. The second inning began with a 5-0 score, with a more comfortable Nielsen back on the mound.
It turned out the only hit Nielsen allowed was that first-inning single. He pitched a total of four and struck out 11. Henry Smith and Mauro-Manos pitched in relief to get some time on the mound, and got five more strikeouts between them.
At the plate, the Hounds accumulated 13 hits, with doubles from Nova Perrill II and two by Harms. Henry Smith went four-for-four at the plate, with two RBIs. Losing pitcher was Cloverdale’s Colin Craig, who allowed 7 earned runs in the 11-0 schooling Healdsburg gave their northern neighbor.
Though it was only their fourth game this year, it was their final pre-season match and it left them with a 3-1 record on a streak of three wins. League play begins on Friday against Montgomery and continues in a three-games-each schedule until May 9: Analy, St. Vincent, Santa Rosa and Piner round out the North Bay Redwood league.
Greyhounds Varsity Baseball is played at Rec Park’s Art McCaffery Field. For the Montgomery game, first pitch is 6pm, Friday, March 14.
