LHS baseball fights to the end in playoff loss

LINDSAY - The Lindsay High baseball team had a good run this year, with an overall record of 17-8 and a first place finish in the East Sequoia League at 7-1. The Cardinals had good play and smart decisions, in a hard fought loss against the East Bakersfield Blades on Friday in the quarterfinals of the Division V Valley playoffs. Despite multiple hits the Cardinals weren’t able to keep up with the Blades and they lost the game 4-1.

At the top of the first the Cardinals Gio Chavez made short work of the Blades with assistance by Austin Schaible at first base. The Blades returned the favor with a quick three outs. The top of the second was much the same. The Blades did their best to bat against Chavez’s pitches but with nice plays by Gabriel Munoz, Nate Lopez, and Diego Jauregui, they didn’t succeed.

At the top of the third the Blades slipped a run through the Cardinals grasp, with the ball flying right to outfield. The Cardinals recovered quickly but the run was on the board. They quickly closed out the remaining Blades on base, turning over the inning. The Cardinals had their work cut out for them after another rough inning, they stood to gain their first run in the bottom of the fifth.

The Cardinals Juan Vazquez Jr. made his way up to the batter’s box and walked. Anthony Mosqueda followed his teammate with similar results. Mosqueda took four balls and walked, putting runners at first and second and putting pressure on the Blades.

Chavez followed with a walk to load the bases for the Cardinals. John Mosqueda made his way to the batter’s box and brought home Vazquez who made his way around third base and slid home to tie the score 1-1. With the score 1-1 the next two at bats for the Cardinals ended in outs, bringing the fifth to an end. The last three innings saw some hard play by both teams but the Cardinals just weren’t able to capitalize on their chances, ending their game with a 4-1 loss.