Sticks Spark DH Sweep
SAN MARCOS, Calif. - The Bethesda Flames won both gamed Wednesday at Poway High School topping St. Katherines 11-7, and 6-5.
Offensive leaders on Wednesday were Nathan Munoz (4-10, one home run, one double, three runs scored, three runs batted in), Kevin Maxey (4-9, two runs scored, two stolen bases), Adrian Flores (4-9, one double, two runs scored, three runs batted in), and Daniel Gutierrez (3-7, one home run, three runs scored, three runs batted in).
The Flames got down early in the first game. After a leadoff home run from Nathan Munoz, the Flames gave up six unearned runs in the next two frames to fall behind 6-1.
That lead would not last long as the Flames responded in the third inning. After a leadoff walk, Nathan Munoz and Kevin Maxey reached with singles. Daniel Arellano singled in Munoz, and Adrian Flores doubled in both Maxey and Arellano. Mario Gonzalez singled in Flores, and Daniel Gutierrez and Alex Rodriguez both reached on walks. Raul Abundis reached on an infield single scoring one, and Ryan McPhillips capped the rally with a sacrifice fly. When the Flames were finally retired, they had recaptured the lead 7-6.
St. Katherines would tie the game in the sixth inning with a solo home run.
The Flames would again respond the next inning. After two quick outs, Daniel Gutierrez kept the inning alive with a two out single. Raul Abundis was hit by a pitch to reach base, and Ryan McPhillips drove in Gutierrez with a single to center. Nathan Munoz singled scoring courtesy runner Andres Wright, and Kevin Maxey's infield single scored McPhillips. The side was retired on the same play after Nathan Munoz was tagged out in between third and home.
The Flames would cap the scoring on a RBI-double in the ninth from Nathan Munoz.
Benjamin Lopez picked up the win in game one throwing four innings, allowing three hits, one run, striking out four. DJ Gunderson earned his sixth save on the year throwing the final three innings giving up only one hit, zero runs and striking out three.
The second game found the Flames out early with the advantage. Adrian Flores drove in a run via a fielder's choice, and Kevin Maxey scored a second run after an error from the third baseman.
The Flames would add one more in the third with a Mario Gonzalez sacrifice fly that pushed the lead to 3-0.
St. Katherines added an unearned run in the fourth to make it 3-1 and that score would remain until the top of the sixth.
Mario Gonzalez reached on a single and Alex Rodriguez worked a walk to give the Flames two baserunners with nobody out. With a 2-2 count, Daniel Gutierrez drove a no doubt three-run home run over the left field fence to make it 6-1 Flames.
The Firebirds would make it interesting in the bottom of the seventh as they pushed across four runs and had the tying run reach base before Flames starter Daniel Arellano was able to finish the game with a strikeout.
Daniel Arellano moves to 5-2 on the season throwing a complete game allowing four earned runs, with eight strikeouts.
Bethesda is now 21-16 on the season, and will next play against Biola. The game is Tuesday, April 18, at 2:00 and will stream online at: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/biola/