Errors cost Trojans in loss to Sonoma Valley

Two unearned runs held up for Sonoma Valley as the Dragons edged visiting Petaluma, 2-1, in a tight baseball contest Friday night in front of a bundled crowd at Hap Arnold Field. As a result of their narrow victory, the Dragons eased into first place in the Sonoma County League standings with a half-game lead over the second-place Trojans.

The pivotal play of the contest came in the bottom of the third inning with the score knotted at 1-1. With one out, the Dragons had runners on first and third base, and Petaluma moved in its infield to cut off a possible run at the plate. Petaluma pitcher Will Nevin got Dragon hitter C.J. Vitale to chop a ground ball directly at short, but the ball glanced off the glove of the Petaluma infielder, allowing the run to score. The shortstop pounced on the ball in time to get the out at first, but the damage was done.

A base on balls and a critical error at third base had set up the scoring opportunity for Sonoma Valley. An earlier infield error off Nevin also set up the Dragon run in the bottom of the first inning.

The Dragons didn’t have a clean base hit until a sharp single by Carson Snyder in the fifth frame, but he was quickly erased on a well-executed relay by the Trojan defense.

Dragon starting pitcher McLean Mein threw a terrific game after giving up a run in the first inning when Trojan designated hitter Greg Thomas bounced a single back through the box with Luke Wheless scoring from third base.

Mein pitched a complete game, and scattered three hits while striking out eight batters. The stout junior right-hander was seldom in trouble, and he went three frames without a base runner.

Petaluma didn’t get any help from the Sonoma Valley defense as the Dragons turned in an error-less performance behind Mein. A barehanded stab and throw by Vitale and a sharp play at third by Ethan Vitale helped keep the Trojans from threatening.

Sonoma made offensive noise in the bottom of the sixth, but two runners were retired at home plate on successive plays to end the threat. The first runner was tagged out by Trojan catcher Brendon White on a failed suicide squeeze bunt attempt. On a following pitch, the ball rolled away from White, who underhanded it to reliever Wheless for a put-out at home.

Wheless had a strong overall game for the Trojans as he reached base three times from his lead-off slot, including a single to keep a third-inning threat going. Wheless scored the only run for Petaluma, and he swiped second base on two occasions.

Sonoma Valley improved to 3-0 in the Sonoma County League. The Dragons will travel to Petaluma for a return game on May 5.

Tough outing

Petaluma stepped out of league play Saturday, losing to San Lorenzo, 10-5, despite out-hitting the home team, 11-8.

San Lorenzo scored four runs in the opening inning and Petaluma was never able to catch up.

Wheless, O’Donnell and White each had two hits for the Trojans

Bat attack

Tuesday evening in Santa Rosa, Petaluma unleashed a 24-hit assault on Elsie Allen, winning an SCL contest, 20-1.

Petaluma had the game well in hand before exploding for 10 runs in the top of the seventh inning. The Trojans sent 16 batters to the plate during the marathon frame.

Lanky Cole Petersen and Kieran Sterling each pitched two hitless innings for the Trojans, with Petersen getting the win.

At the plate, it was all fun and games for the Trojans, who got a multitude of hits from both their starters and a bevy of reserves. Ten Trojans joined the hit parade, with Austin Gabbert leading the march with five hits, four runs scored and six RBIs. His big day included two doubles and a triple.

Ty O’Connell, Harrison Royal and Logan Douglas each had three hits and Wheless, Thomas, Tyler Williams and Clay Gallagher collecting two apiece.