Reedley completes shutout of Sanger in suspended game, Apaches post two other victories in weather-delayed tournament
Dinuba High’s Keine Prendez (11) dives safely back into first base as Reedley High’s Brayden Rhodes fields a pickoff throw during the Emperors’ 12-5 victory over Reedley High in Central Valley Diamond Classic play on March 6 at Dinuba’s Washington Middle School.
Dinuba High baseball players and coaches celebrate a 12-5 victory over Reedley High in Central Valley Diamond Classic play on March 6 at Dinuba’s Washington Middle School. The Emperors won three tournament games last week.
DINUBA – Dinuba and Sanger high schools picked up multiple victories in the Central Valley Diamond Classic, while Reedley High managed to finish off a suspended game victory over Sanger during a rain-delayed week of baseball action.
The Emperors (6-2) collected two of their victories on the same day, defeating the Pirates 12-5 and then blanking Sanger West 10-0 in makeup contests at Dinuba’s Washington Middle School on March 6. Dinuba rallied from an early deficit with a big offensive output late aided by a couple of key errors, then dominated the Hornets.
The Emps then jumped to a 7-0 lead on March 8 against visiting Sierra Pacific, eventually settling for an 8-5 victory. Dinuba capitalized on four Golden Bears errors and also stole six bases. Paul Huerta doubled and knocked in two runs, Armando Mejia scored a pair of runs while Anthony Pompa allowed three hits and two unearned runs in five innings of work to pick up the victory.
Although there was a bit of a break in the rain on March 11, heavy storms from March 9 and 10 caused CVDC officials to call off all scheduled makeup games for that final day. The Emperors will open West Yosemite League play at 4:30 p.m. at Hanford High on Friday, March 17, then will host Tulare Western at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 22.
Reedley 5, Sanger 0
The Pirates (3-3) were able to salvage one victory for the week, getting a brief break from the rain to finish off the shutout of the Apaches on March 9. Brayden Rhodes picked up the pitching win with six innings of work allowing four hits with seven strikeouts and just one walk. Darren Ortiz went 3-for-4 with a run scored and RBI, while Carlos Raza had a pair of hits and two stolen bases.
Ortiz had belted a grand slam to give Reedley an early lead against Dinuba, but Ethan Clark allowed nine runs (only four earned) to take the pitching loss. Clark went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Ortiz and Rhodes each collected three hits and drove in two runs in a 9-7 home loss to Garza High on March 8.
Reedley hosted Lemoore (3-3) on March 14, then will open play in its first year in the Tri-County Conference at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 17, against visiting Washington Union (6-2). The Pirates visit Kerman (4-4) in a TCC matchup on Tuesday, March 21.
Apaches register pair of home shutouts
Sanger High (4-1-1) shut out Torres High of Madera, 4-0, on March 7 and Firebaugh, 10-0, on March 8, in consecutive CVDC games at Sanger High diamond. Sophomore right-hander Cesar Gonzalez kept the Toros’ offense in check with six shutout innings allowing just three hits while striking out six.
Against the Eagles, junior Jesus Cerda had a big day at the plate with a triple and double to drive in four runs while scoring twice. Junior Joe Morales picked up the pitching win with five innings of work, scattering just two hits while striking out four.
The Apaches played in Hanford against Sierra Pacific on March 13 (results were unavailable at press time), then will begin play in the County Metro Athletic Conference on Tuesday, March 21, at home against Edison (2-7). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Immanuel tourney games rained out
Immanuel High (2-3) had its scheduled tournament game on March 11 against Yosemite High postponed by inclement weather. That meant the Eagles had just one game last week, a 4-1 non-league contest on the Central Coast against Nipomo on March 8.
The Eagles got an early run in the first inning, but were shut out from then on by senior Hunter Woolbridge who allowed four hits and struck out seven without walking a batter. Immanuel hosted Tehachapi in a non-league contest on March 13, then opens Tri-County Conference play at 4 p.m. Friday, March 17, in Visalia against Central Valley Christian (2-1).
The Eagles also have a non-league home game against Sierra Pacific at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 21.