Riverbank High School ballplayers lost to Linden, 2-0, in the first round of the playoffs staged Saturday, May 15, in Lodi.
"They hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning. It was only an hour and a half game," said Bruin coach Mike Carrigg.
Andy Villalobos pitched the complete game for the Bruins, giving up six hits including the homer.
"He's not been doing so well this year. This was his best game. It's a pity it all came down to one hanging curve ball," Carrigg said.
He noted that the Linden player got a really solid hit. "The ball is probably still going," he said.
Standing an impressive six feet six inches tall, the Linden pitcher Leroy Hunt throws at close to 90 mph and "overpowered" the Riverbank bats.
"Both pitchers did an awesome job. We had only four hits and Linden got six," said Carrigg.
Riverbank's one chance at scoring came during the sixth inning, when Villalobos clouted a triple and Chris Bigelow was thrown out in a desperate slide for home plate.
"But all in all, it was a great year," said Carrigg. "After two struggling years, we achieved our goal of reaching the playoffs."
It was no shame to lose to Linden, he said. They came into the game with a record of 19-4 overall and 13-1 in league.
The Bruins wrapped up the season with a 14-9 mark overall and 9-5 tally in league.
Carrigg said that both he and junior varsity coach Derrick Burnett will be tied up with college classes this summer. So they won't have time to lead Riverbank boys in American Legion ball.
But two of the Bruins star players, Zac Swanson and Villalobos, plan to play with the Tri Valley Blazers traveling baseball team.
"They hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning. It was only an hour and a half game," said Bruin coach Mike Carrigg.
Andy Villalobos pitched the complete game for the Bruins, giving up six hits including the homer.
"He's not been doing so well this year. This was his best game. It's a pity it all came down to one hanging curve ball," Carrigg said.
He noted that the Linden player got a really solid hit. "The ball is probably still going," he said.
Standing an impressive six feet six inches tall, the Linden pitcher Leroy Hunt throws at close to 90 mph and "overpowered" the Riverbank bats.
"Both pitchers did an awesome job. We had only four hits and Linden got six," said Carrigg.
Riverbank's one chance at scoring came during the sixth inning, when Villalobos clouted a triple and Chris Bigelow was thrown out in a desperate slide for home plate.
"But all in all, it was a great year," said Carrigg. "After two struggling years, we achieved our goal of reaching the playoffs."
It was no shame to lose to Linden, he said. They came into the game with a record of 19-4 overall and 13-1 in league.
The Bruins wrapped up the season with a 14-9 mark overall and 9-5 tally in league.
Carrigg said that both he and junior varsity coach Derrick Burnett will be tied up with college classes this summer. So they won't have time to lead Riverbank boys in American Legion ball.
But two of the Bruins star players, Zac Swanson and Villalobos, plan to play with the Tri Valley Blazers traveling baseball team.
