Local roundup: Emotional win for Monache

It was a long day at school for the Monache baseball team. Somehow, Monache regrouped for a come-from-behind win against one of the West Yosemite League’s top teams, Redwood.

After its first day back at school following the death of former teammate Tyler Curry, Monache overcame a 4-2 deficit on its way to a 6-5 win at Redwood on Monday in the Visalia Tournament.

Curry, a 2011 Monache graduate, had gone on to be a relief pitcher this season for the Porterville College baseball team. On Friday, the 18-year-old was killed in a vehicle accident.

“I think it’s good that we played,” Monache coach Anthony Gale said. “That’s the most important thing. I think it’s kind of a relief to the kids that we got the win.”
Gale said many of his players had to leave the classroom for counseling on Monday. “It was a tough day at school,” he said. “I think it all kind of caught up with them today. It’s really wearing on them.”

Monache trailed 4-2 going into the seventh inning when Brady Baker led off with a walk. Steven Alba followed with a double and Jordan Vasquez hit an RBI groundout to pull Monache to within 4-3. Nick Aguilar’s RBI single tied the score 4-4 and then with two outs, Martin Guzman hit a two-run home run to give Monache a 6-4 lead.

Guzman then came on in the bottom of the seventh to pick up the save. Guzman allowed a run, but struck out, including striking out the final batter to end the game. Derek Pharis gave Monache an outstanding start, allowing two earned runs over six innings.

Offensively for Monache, Aguilar and Daryin Barrientos each had two hits, Dylan Barrera went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI and Baker was 1-for-2 with an RBI. Monache continues play in the tournament at 6 p.m. today against Exeter at Exeter.

PHS SPLITS
Isaac Gonzalez gave Porterville another outstanding start, shutting down Valley power Buchanan in a 2-0 loss at the Fresno Easter Classic. Earlier on Monday, Tyler Wilson pitched six strong innings to pick up the win in a 5-3 victory over Sanger.

Against Sanger, Matt Watson came on to pick up the save, pitching a scoreless seventh while striking out two. Offensively for PHS, Sultan Alfara had two hits and Michael Forrester and Jordan Duran each had a hit and an RBI.

Gonzales (4-1) allowed just three hits in his complete game effort in taking his first loss of the year against Buchanan. PHS only had two hits and Forrester and Angel Flores each had a hit for Porterville.

LINDSAY GOES 4-0
Lindsay won its pool in the Fowler Tournament, beating East Yosemite League power Mission Oak 7-6 on its way to going 4-0. Lindsay opened with a 7-6 win over Mission Oak on Saturday as Sammy Juaregui was the winning pitcher. Juaregui also went 3-for-3 with two runs, a double and two RBI and Renee Alvarado went 2-for-3 with a double, a two-run home run and three RBI.

The Cardinals then beat Sierra Pacific 7-5. In her first start of the year, Kassidy Kendig picked up the win, allowing two earned runs over 4 1/3 innings. Lina Padilla came on to pick up the save. Offensively, Juaregui and Alvarado continued their hot hitting as Juaregui went 4-for-4 with two RBI and Alvarado hit another two-run homer and a double. Also for Lindsay, Kendig went 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI and Destiny Garcia was 3-for-3 with two runs.

On Monday, Lindsay beat Immanuel 17-1 in a game that was called after four innings. Juaregui picked up the win, allowing one hit while striking out six. Juaregui also went 3-for-4 with three RBI and a double, Alexis Gutierrez was 2-for-3 with three runs and an RBI, Christina Castro was 3-for-3 with a double, two RBI and two runs, Kendig went 1-for-2 with two runs and two RBI and Garcia and Kristen Waggoner were each 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Lindsay finished pool play with a come-from-behind 4-2 win over Fowler. Garcia hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning to give Lindsay a 4-2 lead and ended up going 2-for-3. Alvarado was also 1-for-3 with an RBI.

Padilla was the winning pitcher, allowing on earned runs on three hits. In the bottom of the sixth, Padilla escaped a bases loaded, no outs jam to secure the win.

Lindsay will play in the semifinals at 10 a.m. today against Washington Union with the winner advancing to today’s championship game.