The San Quentin Giants’ late innings hitting and base stealing proved to be major factors in their 11-8 victory over the All Blacks.
During the bottom of the sixth inning, Michael Tyler walked, stole two bases and scored off Staphont Smith’s single. The Giants went on to capitalize with five stolen bases.
In the top of the third, Cameron Yuen increased the All Blacks lead to 3-1, hitting a RBI single.
Down by two runs in the bottom of the third, Smith hit a clutch two-run inside-the-park home run to tie the game at 3-3.
The All Blacks regained the lead in the top of the fourth, scoring two runs
In the bottom of the fourth, the Giants had a two-out rally. Eli Salas hit a single to center field and two other players drew walks to load the bases. Dwight Kennedy then hit a two-run single into right field, tying the game at 5-5.
Johnny Williams, the starting pitcher for the All Blacks, threw steam as he struck out the first three batters. The Giants batters looked discombobulated by his fastballs.
However, during the bottom of the second inning, Pete Stoffer crushed Williams’ fastball over the right field fence, scoring the first run for the Giants. Stoffer’s homerun ignited the Giants’ comeback as batters drew walks, stole bases and hit with runners in scoring position.
Smith said, “The team showed resilience from pitching, base running, and timely hitting. We fought back as a team. I had my first homerun this season. I had fun.”
