ESCALON – After a meeting Ripon High felt they should have won this past Wednesday, the Escalon Cougars decided to display some separation, destroying the Indians 15-0 Friday in Trans Valley League play.
Ripon (7-6 TVL, 10-14 overall) had no answer for a potent Escalon offensive attack, that left the yard three times and posted a nine-spot in their half of the fourth inning.
“They came out and were a different ball club,” Ripon head coach Mitch Evans said. “When we threw the ball in the zone they hit it. They put the ball in play almost every batter, and they put the ball in play hard.
“Every inning they scored at least a run.”
Ripon was held to just four hits by the Cougars (12-1, 20-2), getting a 2 for 2 showing from David Knell and 1 for 2 finishes from both Alex Gustin and Zach Evans. Ripon left six runners stranded, and blew a bases loaded opportunity when Escalon got out of trouble with a double play.
The Indians will have to put the series sweep to Escalon behind them in a hurry, closing out the season with an ever so important final series with the Riverbank Bruins.
“I have all the confidence in the world in my team,” Evans said. “If we win the next two games we are in the playoffs, and I know my guys have been playing with a lot of confidence.
“This was just one of those days and we’ll just have to bounce back from it.”
Ripon will meet up with Riverbank on Wednesday at Ripon and make the trip to Riverbank Friday for the TVL finale.
Ripon (7-6 TVL, 10-14 overall) had no answer for a potent Escalon offensive attack, that left the yard three times and posted a nine-spot in their half of the fourth inning.
“They came out and were a different ball club,” Ripon head coach Mitch Evans said. “When we threw the ball in the zone they hit it. They put the ball in play almost every batter, and they put the ball in play hard.
“Every inning they scored at least a run.”
Ripon was held to just four hits by the Cougars (12-1, 20-2), getting a 2 for 2 showing from David Knell and 1 for 2 finishes from both Alex Gustin and Zach Evans. Ripon left six runners stranded, and blew a bases loaded opportunity when Escalon got out of trouble with a double play.
The Indians will have to put the series sweep to Escalon behind them in a hurry, closing out the season with an ever so important final series with the Riverbank Bruins.
“I have all the confidence in the world in my team,” Evans said. “If we win the next two games we are in the playoffs, and I know my guys have been playing with a lot of confidence.
“This was just one of those days and we’ll just have to bounce back from it.”
Ripon will meet up with Riverbank on Wednesday at Ripon and make the trip to Riverbank Friday for the TVL finale.
— Jagada Chambers
