MHS takes second game, 5-2
The Miyamura Patriots mercy-ruled the Del Norte Knights 10-0 March 24 in the first game of a varsity baseball double-header and went on to beat the Knights 5-2 in the second game of the series.
The Knights (2-9) fell victim to a no-hitter by Brandon Vidal of the Patriots in the first game of the double-header. Del Norte actually didn’t get a hit in the series until about the third inning of the second game.
Vidal allowed just three runners to get on base in the first game. Del Norte’s junior right fielder Jacob Saavedra and senior third baseman Cisco Ortega were the sole Knights who got on base. Both were walked by Vidal and senior Orlando Apodaca of Del Norte was hit by a wild pitch which allowed him to take a base.
Miyamura head coach Brian Silva said it was sheer defense and being in the right places at the right times that enabled the Patriots to come away with the wins.
“I think our concentration level was very good today,” Silva said. “In the first game, you have to give credit to Brandon [Vidal]. Our defense was simply ready and played a heady and smart game. We hit extremely well throughout both games and that, obviously, helped.”
In the first game, too, sophomore outfielder Lance Evans got to base on a double in the early innings and was hit home by senior third baseman Brett McFarland. Evans later brought in junior outfielder Jason Cordova and freshman infielder Marc Rios on a single to right field. A little later, senior catcher Giovanni Chioda got a hit and ended up rounding the bases before he was hit in by McFarland.
In the second game, Cordova scored on a hit by freshman Lorenzo Dunsworth. Then in the third inning, Silva got hit by a pitch and McFarland and Chioda hit in two runners.
“We gave up some runs early and we couldn’t get back in it after that,” Del Norte head coach Ben White said. “They hit well and we committed a few too many errors as well.”
The second game was called in the sixth inning when Dunsworth hit a double and came home on a sacrifice fly by sophomore second baseman Dante Griego.
Cordova started the second game and gave up two runs. Rios relieved Cordova in the fourth inning. Miyamura (7-4) plays 4A foe Shiprock (7-8) March 30 at Patriots stadium.
By Bernie Dotson
For the Sun