Tracy Press

 
Golden Valley scored 8 runs before Tracy got up to bat, a lead that was too much for Bulldogs to overcome in an 8-5 loss in Wednesday's first-round playoff game.

Tracy High catcher Johnny Espana (left) and pitcher Daniel Heefner let a popup drop for an error on the game's first play. Glenn Moore/Tracy Press

The Golden Valley Cougars launched a consistent batting attack in the first inning Wednesday to take a lead that the Tracy Bulldogs couldn’t overcome.

The Cougars’ 8-5 win put the Bulldogs out of contention for the Sac-Joaquin Section South championship and moves Golden Valley to the second round of playoffs Monday at Klein Family Field at the University of the Pacific.

The Cougars’ 8-run first inning ended up being their only chance to score. Most of Golden Valley’s seven hits in that inning off starting pitcher Daniel Heefner were short fly balls that just made it to the outfield.

The inning ended when Tracy center fielder Brandon Jossey chased down a deep drive and made a running catch. A similar play by Jossey ended Golden Valley’s effort to score again in the second.

“We hit the ball hard all game,” Golden Valley coach Scott Solis said. “We just hit some in the first inning that were out of their gloves.”

Tracy came back in the bottom of the first with three runs. Golden Valley pitcher Trevor Cesar walked leadoff batters Stevie Ramos and Justin Evans. With Ryan Scornaienchi and Vince Canale out designated hitter Bobby Agard came up to drive the ball down the left field line and score two. B.J. O’Bryan singled to right and Agard sprinted home from second. On a play at the plate Agard dove around the tag to score.

Tracy was able to get a few more base hits, but aside from Agard’s double in the first and another double in the seventh the big hits eluded the Bulldogs.

Agard said afterward that Tracy’s power hitters, while they didn’t get the big hits, figured out where Cesar’s pitches, and later relief pitcher Ralf Vasquez’ pitches, would go.

“All the other lefties helped me out,” he said. “The seniors told me where it would be. They told me not to lunge forward and that helped.”

This run scored by Tracy High’s Bobby Agard wasn't enough. Glenn Moore/Tracy Press

Tracy coach Vic Alkire said those innings might be frustrating to other teams but they showed that the Bulldog team was in the game all the way.

“It’s one of the main characteristics this team has. They never quit,” he said. “I think giving up eight runs that way (in the first inning) would be reason for some to say that it’s just not our night. They didn’t do that.”

B.J. O’Bryan took over as pitcher in the first with one out and the score 6-0. He allowed four more hits through the third inning, and while Golden Valley got runners on base in the fourth and fifth the Tracy infield turned double plays in both of those innings. Closer Bret Maddox held the Cougars hitless for the last two innings.

Agard led the seventh for Tracy with a double, and Josh Frea followed with a line drive to left field. The Cougar’s left fielder Peter Sandino charged forward to scoop the ball up, and in a disputed call the umpires ruled that Sandino caught the ball before it hit the ground. Vasquez struck out two more Tracy batters to end the game.

•We want to hear what you have to say. Comment on this story at www.tracypress.com, or to reach Sports Editor Bob Brownne call 830-4227 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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written by unknown , May 17, 2008

tough loss .. tracy was better ..unfortunatly it didnt always work out ..great season boys