After absolutely dominating Western Sierra Collegiate Academy, 17-5, in their previous matchup on April 25, the baseball team hoped to roll over the Wolves once again.
But this time when the Cavs messed with the Wolves, they got the fangs, falling 14-4 in their April 29 rematch.
It started off downhill with the Cavs unable to score a run in the first inning, flying out three times.
Then senior Ben Felix proceeded to walk the first two Wolves’ batters, Gabe Whitecotton and Chris D’Auria.
After Whitecotton stole third, Felix threw a wild pitch, allowing Whitecotton to score. Then Nolan Brophy singled to center field and brought D’Auria home.
In the top of the second, senior Jacob Durante secured the Cavs’ first hit of the game and only one of the inning.
Felix started out the bottom of the second strong, striking out the first two Wolves’ hitters. But Whitecotton stepped up to the plate and hit a single and stole second. D’Auria then hit a single and brought Whitecotton home, putting the lead to 3-0.
Although the lead had increased, the Cavs weren’t going down yet.
Junior Emil Erickson started the inning with a single to center field followed by a single to right field from junior Christian Van Vleck.
Keeping the Cavs’ hit train hot, Nate Jakobs hit a double, bringing Erickson home and advancing Van Vleck to third.
Although Felix proceeded to ground out to second, Van Vleck scored, and Jakobs advanced to third. Then junior Daniel Hernried singled to left field and brought Jakobs home, tying the game at 3-3. Unfortunately, senior Jacob Sands flied out to end the inning.
But that seemed like the only glimmer of hope the Cavs would get all game. The Wolves went on to score seven runs to match the Cavs’ third-inning comeback.
And although the Cavs got one back in the fourth, the Wolves closed out the game with four runs in the final inning.
Because there was a conflicting lacrosse game, some players couldn’t make it to the game.
“We were missing a few guys,” Jakobs said. “But we also didn’t play well. (The Wolves) played very well, much better than on Monday.”
After the Cavs’ first matchup against against the Wolves, Jakobs said he’d be very disappointed if they lost any games before they got to their matchup against the Valley Christian Academy Lions.
At 3-3, the Cavs are now one game under the record Jakobs would have liked.
But now it’s time for the Cavs’ real test when they face off against the Lions on the road, Tuesday, May 3, at 4 p.m.
—By Jake Longoria
