Pitching, hitting, and defense.
East Union High shined in all three areas of the game in Wednesday’s Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV Baseball Playoff opener against Vanden at Agostini Field.
In the 10-0 five-inning affair, the Lancers’ senior hurler Blake Mount faced two batters over the minimum while receiving early run support.
No. 7 EU (15-14) scored five runs in the first inning, adding two more in the second, and a run each in the fourth and fifth.
“Having that 5-0 lead helped our pitching,” said Lancers’ coach Dan Bauer.
He praised his team for being “super-efficient” on this day.
Mount enjoyed having that cushion, relying on his fastball until the fourth inning.
“That’s when I went with off-speed (pitches),” he said.
In the meantime, Mount threw the ball confidently, knowing he had support from his defense, adding: “I just trusted in them.”
Shortstop Efren Diaz triggered a 6-4-3 double play to end the first inning, and later in the game went deep in the hole for the long-throw putout.
Third baseman Brayden Camara sprinted towards the backstop to snag a popup in the second inning.
Jackson Fay in center field tracked several long drives, including one driven to the warning track.
The No. 10-seeded Vikings (12-15) of the Monticello Empire League struggled to keep Lancer runners off the basepaths.
EU went through its entire batting order in producing five runs on two hits, two walks, and two hit batters in that opening frame. The big hit was delivered by freshman Ryam Allen, who had a two-run double.
Fay opened with a walk, moved into scoring position on a fielder’s choice and scored on Mount’s RBI double – he later scored on a wild pitch.
Camara reached base and scored on Kirk Simoni’s RBI single.
Allen’s double plated Simoni and Randy Martinez.
EU made it 8-0 by scoring three in the second inning.
Peyton Heath and Mount both singled and would later score. Simoni, who reached base on a walk, scored on a wild pitch.
The Lancers added a run in the fourth and ended the game on the 10-run rule in the fifth. Shane Lewis led off with a walk and replaced on the basepath by Ryan Medina.
A pair of intentional loaded up the bases to setup Joe Alvarez with the game-ending RBI.
The sophomore first baseman – he was struck by a pitch a few innings earlier – plated Medina with a hard-hit single to right to close out the game.
Next up for the Lancers is Friday’s playoff game at Oakdale. The No. 2-seeded Mustangs – they were also 10-0 winners against No. 15 Los Banos in five – went 3-0 against EU during Valley Oak League play this season.
