2008 Woodie Awards
Pitching gets job done for Dons
Joe Chunnic
Issue date: 5/5/08 Section: Sports
In last Tuesday's game against Cabrillo College, De Anza's baseball team had everything it needed to win: clutch hitting and great pitching. These were the keys to De Anza's success against Cabrillo in a 4-2 win at home.
It all started with pitcher Tommy Erlin, who was able to hold Cabrillo to only two hits over his over four innings pitched. The top of the first inning had a bit of drama when the leadoff hitter doubled down the left field line. The next batter tried to move the runner over with a bunt, but bunted it right to Erlin, not allowing the runner to advance as he threw the batter out.
Unfortunately, the runner did advance to third base on a passed ball, forcing Coach Scott Hertler to bring the infield in. The move paid off as Erlin got the batter to ground to Marc Fuentes who threw the runner out at home base. A short pop fly ended the inning and Erlin and the Dons avoided trouble.
The Dons went down in order in their first plate appearance, with a strike out and two ground outs. This put Erlin back on the mound, but he used his pitches effectively and got two fly outs and one strike out in the top of the second inning. Unfortunately, the Dons offense didn't really show up in thes econd inning either, but neither team had taken batting practice before the game, most likely leading to the low score.
In the top of the third inning, Erlin was back and dealing. He was able to get the first batter to pop out to Fuentes for the out. The next batter singled to right, the last hit Erlin allowed in his stint. The next batter saw a change in momentum in favor of the Dons as Erlin induced a crucial inning-ending double play.
"Tommy [Erlin] set the tempo early," said Hertler. "He kept them off base and off balance."
The mood in the De Anza dugout suddenly changed and there was life in their bats. Marc Fuentes led off the inning with a single to right, the Dons' first hit of the game, and Eric Taubman followed with another single to right. Kale Moniz successfully bunted the runners over, putting both of them in scoring position. Two batters later, Travis Adams grounded to first but an error allowed Fuentes to score and Adams to reach base. Jamie Wagner singled up the middle to drive in Taubman and extended the Dons' lead to 2-0. The inning ended on a ground out but the Dons were leading and helping their starting pitcher.
It all started with pitcher Tommy Erlin, who was able to hold Cabrillo to only two hits over his over four innings pitched. The top of the first inning had a bit of drama when the leadoff hitter doubled down the left field line. The next batter tried to move the runner over with a bunt, but bunted it right to Erlin, not allowing the runner to advance as he threw the batter out.
Unfortunately, the runner did advance to third base on a passed ball, forcing Coach Scott Hertler to bring the infield in. The move paid off as Erlin got the batter to ground to Marc Fuentes who threw the runner out at home base. A short pop fly ended the inning and Erlin and the Dons avoided trouble.
The Dons went down in order in their first plate appearance, with a strike out and two ground outs. This put Erlin back on the mound, but he used his pitches effectively and got two fly outs and one strike out in the top of the second inning. Unfortunately, the Dons offense didn't really show up in thes econd inning either, but neither team had taken batting practice before the game, most likely leading to the low score.
In the top of the third inning, Erlin was back and dealing. He was able to get the first batter to pop out to Fuentes for the out. The next batter singled to right, the last hit Erlin allowed in his stint. The next batter saw a change in momentum in favor of the Dons as Erlin induced a crucial inning-ending double play.
"Tommy [Erlin] set the tempo early," said Hertler. "He kept them off base and off balance."
The mood in the De Anza dugout suddenly changed and there was life in their bats. Marc Fuentes led off the inning with a single to right, the Dons' first hit of the game, and Eric Taubman followed with another single to right. Kale Moniz successfully bunted the runners over, putting both of them in scoring position. Two batters later, Travis Adams grounded to first but an error allowed Fuentes to score and Adams to reach base. Jamie Wagner singled up the middle to drive in Taubman and extended the Dons' lead to 2-0. The inning ended on a ground out but the Dons were leading and helping their starting pitcher.
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