Bailey’s wonderful game has MHS in first

With the Monache baseball team now 11-2 in the East Yosemite League it’s now on top of the EYL. Just ahead of Tulare Western who has a record of 10-3 now. The Porterville Panthers are also close by with a record of 103, matching Tulare Western after facing off against Delano where they won 15-0.

Monache will be up against the Panthers next week twice with the league championship on the line. As the Marauders took on the Mustangs, the game was low scoring with the Marauders winning 1-0. A fiery series were thrown by both sides as neither wanted to give up an inch of ground.

The Marauders Richie Bailey pitched the whole game and struck out two of the Mustangs in the first inning, before the third was outed by right fielder Colton Isom with a solid catch. As the Marauders stepped up to the batter’s box, Zach Milhous reached third base on a drive to right field.

With their teammate so near scoring so early in the game, the Marauders did their best to score him. Gustavo Andrade brought Milhous home.

The second inning was just as fierce as the first.

Bailey once again struck out two Mustangs with one looking and the swinging. Andrade had to be fast on his feet when a narrow hit from the Mustangs came his way. Without missing a beat Andrade recorded the out.

Ty Baxter was later there for the Marauders to catch a Mustang ball that flew out to center field. The Marauders catcher Jayson Castillo nabbed a bunted ball from the Mustangs and outed their runner at first.

During the final innings for the Marauders they kept the fight going, sealing out the Mustangs and keeping the score from progressing.

The final outs were recorded by Isom and Baxter who both caught fly balls, and a strike out from Bailey to finish the game 1-0.

“We hit at the right time, it was tough against them but we made it through.” Monache High coach A.J. Watts said

“Tulare Western’s pitcher made us work really hard for it. Thankfully Richie took care of us.

“When it comes to playing games, pitching with only one run up is very intense. He really put everything in those pitches and he did his best.”