Berkeley CA -- Berkeley rallied against Castro Valley in the bottom of the seventh with a walk off single by designated hitter Leo Pollack to win the game 3-2.
Despite his winning hit, Pollack attributed the win to “a combined team effort.” “We didn't always get the run in,” he said after the game, “but we got it when it counted.”
The Jackets (8-6-2, 3-3) dominated the game behind pitcher Lucas Greenbaum who gave up no runs and two hits through six innings. Berkeley’s first run came in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly from Rueban Drogin. Later in the fifth, Castro Valley pitcher Joe Dimitratos walked in a run to put the Yellowjackets up 2-0.
But as Greenbaum neared 100 pitches he was taken out and Castro Valley (12-5, 6-3) preyed on relief pitcher Escobar Tognolini who gave up two runs on one hit during his stint.
Going into the bottom of the seventh, the game was tied 2-2. Berkeley appeared unshaken by the loss of their lead and a new Castro Valley pitcher, Mike Dobbins. The first batter of the inning, Cole Fanning, took a walk. He was later bunted over to second and advanced to third on a balk. Pollack then drove in the winning run.
Coach Matt Bremer was pleased with his team’s overall effort.
“We showed a lot of heart," he said. "And when we gave up those two in the end I was really confident we were gonna bounce right back.”
This was an important victory for Berkeley as it ties to make a run to qualify for NCS playoffs in a few weeks.
Castro Valley coach Randy Green thought his team “didn't hit like they usually do” but he also gave credit to Berkeley’s pitching.
“You have to hand it to [Greenbaum]; he was pitching very well.”
