Plus, scores from around the Foothill League
Following a loss to Castaic in the series opener on Tuesday, the Valencia Vikings rallied and won, 9-7, in come-from-behind fashion over the Coyotes on Thursday and secured their second Foothill League baseball win of the season.
“We’ve been battling. We’ve been playing a lot of close games and for us to come out on top right here today for a Foothill League win. It’s going to hopefully set our tone for the second half of the season,” Valencia head coach Tim Pennell said.
The Vikings (7-9-1, 2-3-1) and the Coyotes (10-8, 5-3) battled back and forth and swapped the lead six times going into the bottom of the fifth inning after a two-run spot from the Coyotes.
But in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Vikings took the lead after the team scored three runs after an error from the Coyotes’ infield and back-to-back sacrifice flies.
On the mound, Pennell relieved Steve Genovese, who started the game for Valencia, with junior right-hander Tennysen Enneking.
Enneking was brough in the bottom of the fifth inning with two outs and the bases loaded but secured the final out with a fly out to the center fielder.
In the sixth and seventh innings, Enneking held the Coyotes scoreless in the final two frames with one strikeout and secured the win.
“Tennysen is a bulldog,” Pennell said in response to Enneking’s performance. “That’s one of our guys out of the pen, our first guy out of the pen. And to use him and Steve Genovese today and come out on top 9-7 was crucial.”
At the plate, Tyler Wertz had the biggest day for the Vikings as he ended the day 2-for-2 with three runs driven in and two doubles.
After the game, Wertz spoke about his approach at the plate and what helped him have a big day against the Coyotes’ pitching staff.
“My success comes from being early and being ready to get my pitch and looking for my pitch and not chasing much else,” he said. “And from Castaic, I saw a lot of off speed, and I was ready for that.”
The Vikings will look to build upon their momentum in their next league contest on Wednesday, April 15, against the Wildcats at West Ranch High School with first pitch scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
The Coyotes were led by leadoff man Aiden Arroyo, who went 1-for-3 with three runs driven in. They will look to bounce back in their next league game on Wednesday, April 22,at home against the Hart Hawks with the game set to begin at 3:30 p.m.
After Thursday’s games, here are scores from around the Foothill League:
West Ranch 6, Saugus 5: Following a loss to Saugus (9-8, 5-3) on Tuesday, the West Ranch Wildcats (10-10, 6-2) bounced back with a walk-off win at home in the series finale.
The win kept the Wildcats in second place in the Foothill League baseball standings with a 6-2 record.
Ty Diaz had the biggest day at the plate for the Wildcats as he went 2-for-4 with two runs driven in.
The Wildcats will look to keep up the recent momentum in their next league contest against the Valencia Vikings at home on Wednesday, April 15.
The loss dropped the Centurions to fourth in the standings with a 5-3 record and they play again in league action on Wednesday, April 15.
Hart 7, Golden Valley 4: The Hart Hawks (9-8-1, 5-0-1) remained unbeaten following the win over the Golden Valley Grizzlies (7-8, 0-6).
For Hart, Hayden Rhodes had a big day at the plate as he ended the day with a home run and drove in three runs.
Matix Frithsmith got the save for the Hart as the Hawks remain in first place in the Foothill League baseball standings.
The Hawks will look to keep up their momentum in their next league contest on Wednesday, April 15, at home against the visiting Saugus Centurions with first pitch scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
The Grizzlies will look to bounce back at home on Wednesday, April 15, against the Canyon Cowboys with the game set to begin at 3:30 p.m.
Photos below from Valencia’s win over Castaic:
