‘It’s ... electric:’ Folsom baseball’s Stafford delivers game-winner against Oak Ridge

Twenty-four hours after taking a dramatic loss, the Folsom High baseball team returned the favor, topping Oak Ridge 7-6 Tuesday with a last-inning game-winner.

Bulldogs catcher Ryan Stafford drove in John Alkire to help No. 17 Folsom snap a four-game losing streak. The day earlier, it was Oak Ridge’s Ethan Walker who singled in Porter Price to start the series between the Sierra Foothill League rivals.

“That’s baseball,” Folsom coach Aaron Agnew said with a laugh. “It’s exciting and electric. I have been on both ends many times. You can’t help but get the chills when a (walk-off) happens.”

He added, “(Games like this) helps build our confidence. They’re competitors and they love to compete. We are a young team so this is a part of their growth. It was a confidence builder that we can get the job done.”

Stafford’s winner wasn’t even his biggest moment of the season. In a game against Del Campo last month, Folsom trailed 2-0 and was down to its final out. Stafford hit a go-ahead three-run home run that eventually gave his team the win.

“I was looking to hit (the ball) hard,” Stafford said. “I know we have guys behind me that can hit, too if I couldn’t get it done. I have a lot of trust in my teammates. I love winning ball games and it doesn’t matter how we do it. It’s a little extra special when you get to do something like that.”

After No. 13 Oak Ridge tied it at 2-2 in the top of the fifth inning, Folsom sophomore Adam Cafarella blasted a two-run home run to left. When he returned to the dugout, he was greeted by his teammates and was presented with the home run chain, which has a big blue Folsom “F” on it. The home run chain was made by teammates and brothers Adam and Tyson DeWall. Tyson DeWall earned his keep, striking out 10 in 6⅔ innings.

Collin Callahan, Jonas Dyas and Slade Wilson all drove in a run for Folsom (8-8-1). Stafford, Callahan, Jake Tremain and Cafarella each had multiple hits. Oak Ridge (7-6) was The Bee’s preseason No. 1 baseball team. The Trojans started the season 0-4 but since have won seven of nine. Michael May, Landon Weiss, Joey Gentile and Christian Cochran all drove in runs for the Trojans.

The Trojans will host the series finale between these teams on Thursday in El Dorado Hills.

This story was originally published May 5, 2021 at 7:31 AM.