Masetti’s heroics give Skyline 3-2 win, series sweep of Gavilan

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Third baseman Anthony Masetti’s RBI double in the ninth inning propelled Skyline to a 3-2 win, capping off a 3-game sweep against Gavilan. Coming into the game, Skyline had an offensive explosion at the plate, scoring 28 runs total in the first two games against Gavilan.

“I was looking for a pitch away, with Daniel Dempsey at second, just getting a ball to the outfield I knew he would score,” Masetti said, who had the only hit with runners in scoring position for Skyline.

Paul Ferrari was once again on the mound for Skyline to open the game as countered against James Lemberger, a sophomore right-handed from Gilroy.

“5 innings and 1 hit,” Coach Dino Nomicos said before the game.

His strong expectations for Ferrari is coming off his last start against Canada where he tossed six shutout innings with eight strikeouts.

Unfortunately, after already facing two batters in the second inning, Ferrari hurt his bicep in his pitching arm and had to be removed, facing only eight batters totals. However, Skyline wouldn’t falter as Austin Brown would pitch out of trouble in the second and third inning.

In the second, the Trojans were on the board with Lemberger gifting them a wild pitch while Matt O’Mahony was on third. Later in the inning with the bases loaded, Lemberger threw another wild pitch but resulted in Matt Leong being out at home.

Aiden Yarwood would come in for Brown in the fourth and would continue to keep Gavilan from scoring, but in the fifth, he allowed a leadoff single to Benjamin Prentiss. After a play where Masetti allowed Prentiss to stay at second, Gavilan had two runners on with one out. Yarwood was able to get out the inning with a strikeout his counterpart Lemberger and then having first basemen Christopher Molina groundout to short.

Despite the 28 runs in the last two games, Skyline failed to get anything going against Lemberger even with him walking seven batters. He would be pulled in the bottom of the sixth after walking the leadoff batter.

Joshua Holtzclaw came in and only made things difficult for his defense, loading the bases on a hit batter and a walk. With Pohahau at-bat, he couldn’t bring any runners home after an infield fly to third base. Next was Mitchel Plane who flew out to center.

“The pitcher (Holtzclaw) did a good job pitching against us,” said Head Coach Nomicos, who saw his team leave seven runners on base through the first six innings and not having a hit with runners in scoring position.

After a quiet sixth and seventh inning from Gavilan, Yarwood pitcher into the eighth where he would face some difficulties. Gavilan catcher Robert Najar walked and got to second on a passed ball to start the inning. Lemberger would double him home tying the game at one with no outs in the inning. Lefty Derek Flowers came in but gave Gavilan the lead after a wild pitch to Noah Ackman.

Looking to tie the game in the eighth, Skyline showcased perfect execution to score just one run. Masetti was hit to start the inning and Max Jenkins had a perfect bunt single that made everyone safe. O’Mahony bunted both over, and Leong hit a fly ball into center deep enough to score Masetti from third.

Flowers was able to get off a quick jam in the ninth after walking Rolando Hernandez, but having Prentiss lining out to short and getting the runner at first in time for a double play.

In the bottom of the ninth, Daniel Sahagun pinch hit for Brandon Billesberger, who would manage a walk. With two outs, a single from Noah Marcelo moved Sahagun to second and Nomicos made a move to have Daniel Dempsey pinch run. Masetti launched a double into left-center that ended the game.

“That’s usually what I’m known for: my wheels. I don’t hit well, but I do run. So there was a lot of pressure coming in but I felt it was time.” said Dempsey, who scored the game-winning run.