Tough defense and a pitching duel left the San Quentin A’s and the Benicia Muscle Milk tied, 2-2.
The A’s found themselves in a battle with some baby-faced youngsters fresh out of high school.
These athletic youth managed to score two quick runs in the first inning.
After a couple of walks, Milk’s Nate Edwins hit a single up the centerfield gap to bring in Elliot Palmer.
Haas Walling showed his patience as he worked against a 2-3 count. He hit a line drive to right field to score Dillon Habbeger for the 2-0 lead.
“Their pitcher is keeping every pitch active, so you have to stay focused. Just like life, everything doesn’t go your way, but when they do, you have to take advantage of it,” said Walling.
The A’s regrouped and showed what grown men could do by turning double plays with finesse.
The A’s scored the hard way in the first. After a couple of walks and a single from Reggie Hunt, Rob Tyler hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Bilal Coleman.
The Milk still didn’t give an inch. Pitcher Brett Brightwell struck out the next batter, and the shortstop fielded a ground ball for the easy play at first base.
“I got into a rhythm and found the location for my fastball. It’s fun to play these guys. They are committed to the sport, and they make you compete,” said Brightwell.
A’s pitcher Carlyle “Otter” Blake kept batters off balance and second guessing for seven innings.
The A’s scored again in the sixth. Cleo Cloman singled, and Royce Rose hit a double to drive Cloman home to tie it 2-2.
Milk fought back as catcher Jerry Huson threw out Blake trying to steal second. That was the second time Huson caught the A’s stealing. Brightwell topped it off with back-to-back strikeouts. He had six for the game.
The A’s bought in veteran pitcher Isaiah Thompson-Bonilla to close out the eight and ninth.
The Milk struggled to score in both innings; the A’s defense was on top of everything.
The A’s had a chance to win the game with a man on third and two outs. Hunt stepped to the plate and hit a deep ball to left field.
Walling of the Milk made a magnificent catch off the left field gate, ending this June 27 game in a tie, as playing time ran out. The game couldn’t continue past the ninth inning because yard was recalled for the 8 p.m. count.
“That was probably the best baseball game played this season. It was fun playing those youngsters. Our starting pitcher Blake pitched one hell of a game,” said Thompson-Bonilla.
“I’m proud of these guys; they battled all nine innings, and we need this type of game,” said A’s Head Coach John “Yah Yah” Parratt.
Milk Head Coach Mike Palmer added, “I love playing these guys and getting a chance to fellowship. It’s more than just a game; it’s about faith and helping these guys transition back into society.”
