Ripon dropped a key Trans Valley League matchup to rival Escalon 8-1 Wednesday afternoon at Mistlin Park despite racking up 10 hits.
The Indians (4-5 TVL, 8-11 overall) created opportunities against both Escalon pitchers they faced but left at least one runner on base in every inning for a total of 12 stranded.
“It’s been the story of our season thus far — the inability to get that big hit in key spots to drive guys in,” Ripon coach Matt Gilmer said.
The frustrations for Ripon started in the opening inning. An infield hit from second baseman Jack Peters, who stole second base before being sacrificed over to third. Joseph Molthen then hit one back up the middle for a single to make it 1-0.
Hunter Weber and Logan Spear would follow with base hits of their own to load the bases with just one out. The inning would come to an abrupt halt when Escalon (5-3, 11-9) starting pitcher Brody Abbott, a Ripon transfer, managed to limit the damage by retiring the next two Indians.
“That first inning was a gut punch,” Gilmer said. “If we score three or four runs there, it puts a lot more pressure on them. We knew Brody would come out throwing hard, and getting to him early was a key for us.”
Abbott scattered nine hits through five innings of work, while striking out eight in his return to Ripon. Every time Ripon got a rally going, the right hander was able to escape unscathed.
“We had a feeling Brody would come out and pitch well today,” Escalon coach Gino Franceschetti said. “I thought he was able to hit his spots and pitch around trouble when he did get into it with the help of some plays on defense.”
Unfortunately for the Indians, Abbott’s outstanding performance continued in the batter’s box, where the sophomore drove in a run with a sacrifice fly as a part of a three-run rally in the second inning. He then followed that up with perhaps the biggest hit of the game in the third plating two more runs in a four-run outburst that broke the game open for Escalon.
“I thought he took some really good approaches at the plate,” Franceschetti said. “We knew we were facing a tough pitcher today, but to be able to capitalize on a few mistakes was huge in getting us going and helping himself on the mound.”
Ripon was led offensively by the heart of their order in Molthen, Weber, and Spear. Molthen and Spear collected two hits apiece, while Spear recorded three hits including a double in the game.
“We haven’t had a hard time getting guys on and in scoring position all season long,” Gilmer said. “Once we get guys in scoring position, we’re either unable to square up the ball or we hit it right at someone.”
The loss keeps the Indians in fourth place in the TVL, one spot back of an automatic playoff berth. They can earn an at-large bid however if they finish the season in fourth and also ranked in the top 15 in MaxPreps rankings. The Indians were ranked 14th in the Sac-Joaquin Section’s Division V going into Wednesday’s loss.
“Next week’s series against Hilmar will be huge in determining if we get in or not,” Gilmer said. “We have some work to do before then, but if we can get both games against them and come back to beat this Escalon team in a few weeks, I feel really good about our chances to play in the postseason.”
