The Serra Padres defeated the Bellarmine Bells 8-5 in San Mateo Wednesday afternoon with a big, three-run sixth inning.
“Big win for us,” said Serra coach Craig Gianinno, “This game shows that we can come back from any deficit which is a great trait to have. Overall our team is really focused right now.”
The Padres jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a Jordan Paroubeck RBI double. Bellarmine quickly erased this lead in the top of the third when Justin Calomeni hit a bases-loaded double off Serra pitcher Orlando Razo to help give Bellarmine a 5-1 lead.
Although Razo gave up five runs in the third inning, he recorded the win by pitching four scoreless innings to close out the game.
“He had a minor setback in the third inning, but I kept him going because I knew he had to finish it off; he’s been in that situation before,” Gianinno said.
Bellarmine’s ace Calomeni took the mound in the bottom of the third with a seemingly comfortable 5-1 lead. However, Serra (17-3, 7-1 WCAL) loaded the bases with nobody out for Paroubeck who hit a two-run single. Sean Watkins tied the game a couple batters later with a two-run single.
Tied 5-5, Serra scored three runs in the sixth with RBI doubles by Michael Tinsley and Paul Murray and a run-scoring single by Mickey McDonald.
The Padres didn't look back, thanks to four shutout innings by Razo who finished the game off allowing five earned runs, while striking out five and walking two.
This was not only time the Padres came back from a huge deficit to win a game. They also rallied from an 8-1 early deficit to St. Francis to win 10-9.
“We have done this before,” Murray said. “It doesn’t matter how much we are down in a game, we will always have a chance to win.”
The dangerous Serra offense has scored a total of 35 runs in the last four games, led by Paroubeck and Murray who finished Tuesday’s game with a total of five RBIs.
“We scored some runs there in the third inning, but I knew it wouldn’t be enough,” said Bellarmine coach Micheal Rodriguez “Our guys fought hard to the end, we just didn’t come up with the victory today.”
Serra visits St. Ignatius on Friday, while Bellarmine (15-6, 4-4) travels to Sacred Heart Cathedral.
