Prep baseball rankings and notes: Elk Grove’s big win; we have a new No. 1 team
There is a special feeling of tradition and pride when entering the Yuba City High School baseball field.
You can see the history of success the Honkers program has spanning decades. Big-league names who played at Yuba City as well as league title years are plastered onto the old brick wall.
Thursday night in Sutter County was a renewal of an old rivalry and a matchup of two of the most successful teams in Sac-Joaquin Section history. It lived up to the hype. No. 6 Elk Grove, led by Ryan Zamora’s four hits and four RBIs outlasted Yuba City 8-6 in 10 innings under the bright stadium lights.
The game came about because Elk Grove had spring break tournaments canceled due to COVID-19. Elk Grove coach Joe Bellotti got on the phone with Yuba City skipper Dave Rodriguez to schedule a game.
“We had some games free up without any spring break tournaments,” Bellotti said. “Dave (Rodriguez) called me and I jumped on it. Coach Rodriguez is a class act. This is a game we always used to have, but with scheduling conflicts it went away. It’s special here. This place is a special venue. It’s two old school teams. It’s good getting to come back up here.”
He added later, “It was a weight off our shoulders when we got the go-ahead to play. I want to thank all my coaches and players for working hard and following all the protocols — they have done a great job with that stuff.”
Zamora hit a game-tying two-run home run in the fourth and a two-run double in the sixth. With Elk Grove down to its last two outs, Aiden Jimenez grounded into a fielder’s choice to send the game to extras. In the 10th, Zamora scored on a passed ball and Kade Brown stole home on a wild pitch.
“Ryan really got us going with that first swing of the bat,” Bellotti said. “We jumped on his back during the extra innings and late in the game.”
Yuba City trailed by two runs with the bases loaded, down to its final out. Elk Grove pitcher Carson Powell got Kade Barrie to fly out to center field to end the game. Elk Grove players were fired up the entire four hours, yelling and screaming with the same crazy energy throughout.
“Baseball guys are sometimes a different breed,” Bellotti said with a laugh. “We have to rein them in every once in a while. They do a great job of getting each other that energy and effort.”
Folsom’s Robinson throws a no-no
Folsom pitcher Cooper Robinson had a big day last week in an 11-0 win over Sheldon.
The UCI-bound senior threw a no-hitter in five innings last Monday, striking out seven. Robinson only allowed one base runner.
Robinson also helped out his own cause at the plate with two hits, including an RBI double. Jonas Dyas, Ryan Oaks and John Alkire all had multiple RBIs.
“Cooper did a phenomenal job against Sheldon,” Folsom coach Aaron Agnew said. “Ryan Stafford called a great game for Cooper behind the plate. Cooper was focused & locked in for every pitch from start to finish. The way the ball was coming out of his hand in the first inning, I felt like he was going to have a good outing.”
He added, “Jake Tremain, our sophomore second baseman, made an exceptional play on the leadoff batter to set the tone of the game. It was hit hard and towards the middle. Jake made a nice backhand and had a quick release to throw out Stalcup from Sheldon by a half step. After not playing high school baseball for a year, I can’t think of a better way to start the year.”
Cosumnes Oaks, Davis start season hot
Davis and Cosumnes Oaks from the Delta League are the only two area teams to start the young season 3-0. Most area teams have only played one or two games the first two weeks of the season.
The highlight of the week for Cosumnes Oaks was a 3-2 win over Ponderosa. Steven Brooks struck out nine and outdueled Ponderosa ace Ty Uber in front of over a dozen scouts. Elvin Delic recorded the save and also had an RBI single in the fifth to tie the game. Cosumnes Oaks has beat three ranked teams — Ponderosa, Bella Vista and Oakmont.
Davis started the season with a 13-5 win over Vacaville on Monday. Davis also beat Yuba City 11-1 and beat Vacaville 8-4 to cap the week. The Blue Devils have been led by Brian Chin, Rockwell Lybbert, Jordan Painter and Matt Young.
“It’s great to have the kids back out there playing, that’s the most important thing,” Davis coach Ethan Guevin said. “We’ve done a nice job of controlling the count and forcing teams to throw the ball over the plate. We’ve picked up some timely hits and pitched out of some jams and that has us off to a good start.”
The top two baseball teams meet this week in Placer County
Granite Bay is The Bee’s new top-ranked team after its dominant performance last week against Placer. The Grizzlies will face No. 5 Oak Ridge, No. 18 Oakmont, No. 2 Franklin and Yuba City this week.
Franklin is ranked No. 2 after impressive wins over No. 5 Oak Ridge and No. 12 Placer last week. Against Oak Ridge, senior Andres Galan struck out five and had an RBI double in the first. Senior Joe Lopez had a three-run double to blow the game open.
Sophomore sensation Nolan Stevens pitched 6⅔ innings against Placer, striking out 12 and only allowing one walk.
THE BEE’S TOP 20
1. Granite Bay (1-0)
2. Franklin (2-1)
3. Rocklin (1-2)
4. Woodcreek (2-1)
5. Oak Ridge (0-2)
6. Elk Grove (1-1)
7. Jesuit (0-0)
8. Folsom (1-1)
9. Davis (3-0)
10. Cosumnes Oaks (3-0)
11. Vacaville (1-3)
12. Placer (1-2)
13.Del Campo (0-0)
14. McClatchy (0-0)
15. Del Oro (2-0)
16. Pleasant Grove (2-1)
17. Ponderosa (1-1)
18. Oakmont (2-2)
19. Bella Vista (2-1)
20. Lincoln (0-2)
On the bubble: Alpha Charter (0-0), Casa Roble (0-0), Colfax (2-0), Christian Brothers (0-0), El Camino (0-0), Laguna Creek (0-0), Nevada Union (0-1), Pioneer (0-0), Rio Americano (0-0), Roseville (1-1), Vanden (2-0), Vista Del Lago (1-0), Whitney (1-2), Woodland (0-0), Yuba City (0-2).