In a back and forth nail- bitter, the San Quentin A’s edged the San Monica Suns, 13-12. Traveling six hours and hundreds of miles from Los Angeles County, the Suns faced the first game of a double-header.
The Suns opened up the first inning with two quick singles and a double by Zach Mann for a 2-0 lead.
A’s pitcher Reggie Hunt readjusted and found the strike zone to closed the Suns out.
The A’s answered with three runs. Cleo Cloman walked, and then Carlyle “Otter” Blake stepped to the plate, belting a deep ball to right field for a triple.
Anthony Denard, A’s shortstop, hit a double to bring in Blake and later scored off a sacrifice fly from Royce Rose.
“It’s good to be able to make plays both on defense and batting. It’s also good to be on a team that will pick you up if you’re down,” said Rose.
The A’s put up three scores in the second for a 6-2 lead.
“They are out-playing us. They have good defense and the wind isn’t helping,” said Sun Sanjay Nagarkar.
The Suns scored two runs in the fourth. After two walks, Suns coach Bob Sharkan stepped to the plate and belted a line drive to deep center field for a double.
The Suns closed the gap 6-4.
“No matter who you are, you’ve got to go out there and play,” said Sharkan.
The Suns’ defense also picked up, catching the A’s Cloman twice in a pickle after attempting steals.
In the fifth, the A’s pitcher found himself with the bases loaded. Hunt walked in two runs to tie the game 6-6.
Hunt was relieved by Gary “Cool Aid” Townes.
Townes gave up a single to Suns Nick Onorato to drive in a run for the 7-6 lead.
“I was struggling. I’m just glad to get the bat on the ball. These guys are better than some of the teams in our league,” said Onorato.
The A’s scored three times to retake the lead, 9-7. The Suns added four runs in sixth to recapture lead 11-9.
The A’s move back in front off a RBI single from Bilal Coleman. Blake drove in two runs with a double for the 11-10 lead.
“I broke my slump. I’m back in this,” said Coleman.
Cloman broke two bats and was rewarded with a single. Blake pop out to right field, bring up Denard who hit a line drive past third base for a single.
Denard stole second base. Chris Marshall then belted a deep ball between center and left field to send Cloman and Denard home for the 13-12 win.
“It was a good game. We started with a little jitters, but we shook it off. They came with a push and we pushed back. We helped carry each other for the win,” said the A’s Ama Upumoni.
