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View Winners → Serrano’s R.J. Peace Shuts Out Monrovia 3-0
Education Apr 08, 2015
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Article and Photos By Jacob Bigley
The Monrovia Wildcats had a non-conference baseball home game this Tuesday against the Serrano Diamondbacks. The Wildcats faced off against Serrano’s R.J. Peace (#10) who pitched a complete game recording 11 strikeouts, 2 hits, 1 BB and an ERA of 0.00.
Brian McConnell took the mound for the Wildcats, pitching 2.2 innings with 3 hits, 3 runs, 2 errors, 3 strikeouts and 2 walks. Trouble came in the 3rd inning when Tanner Cornell (#6) led off the inning with a left field double. Vinnie Vildosola (#3) followed with a double of his own scoring Cornell and putting the Diamondbacks up 1-0.
A controversial “obstruction” ruling was called on the Wildcats when Vildosola attempted a head first slide back to second base. Despite the throw beating the runner by a couple feet, the infield umpire ruled that Devin Ayala’s (#3) right knee/leg was illegally covering the base. The obstruction rule automatically advances the affected runner to the next base, resulting in Vildosola being placed on third.
Next, R.J. Peace grounded to the third baseman who threw out Vildosola at the plate, saving a run and giving the Diamondbacks their first out. Dayton Toop (#1) was hit by the pitch which advanced Peace to second and Toop to first. Monrovia’s McConnell attempted to pick off Toop at first base but an inaccurate throw led to Peace stealing two consecutive bases, scoring a run an increasing their lead 2-0 with Toop on second.
McConnell walked Austin Taylor (#35), leaving the Diamondbacks with runners on first and second. A long and high fly ball to right center was caught by Monrovia, allowing Toop to tag up and make it safely to third base.
The final run in the third (and the game) came from Saxon Andross, who hit a hard ground ball in-between the third baseman and shortstop, scoring Toop and putting Serrano up 3-0.
Justin Rosedale (#10) relieved McConnell and would go 2.1 innings pitched with 2 strikeouts and 0 hits. The final two innings were pitched by sophomore Patrick Goebel (#24) who struck out 4 of the 6 batters he faced, holding the Diamondbacks to 3 runs.
Monrovia’s two hits came from Juan Quinonez (#21) and Patrick Goebel. Serrano’s four hits came from Tanner Cornell, who went 2-3, and Andross and Vildosola, who each recorded one hit apiece.
Serrano’s R.J. Peace, who is committed to play for Cal Poly SLO in the fall, was the star with his brilliant pitching performance. His shutout gives the Diamondbacks an 8-5 overall record and handed Monrovia their third loss of the season, bringing their record to 13-3 overall.
Serrano faces University Prep on Thursday at Serrano High 3:15 p.m. Monrovia’s next match-up is a Friday home game at 3:15 p.m. against San Marino, which is 1-1 in league.
