Trojans notch 2 wins over Oregon; drop 2 to Rock Falls

staff
Posted 3/27/19

Mendota opened up the Big Northern Conference baseball schedule with a 15-3 loss at Rock Falls on March 19. The game was halted by the 10-run rule.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Trojans notch 2 wins over Oregon; drop 2 to Rock Falls

Posted

Mendota opened up the Big Northern Conference baseball schedule with a 15-3 loss at Rock Falls on March 19. The game was halted by the 10-run rule.

Rock Falls flew out of the gate with four runs in the first inning and the score stayed that way until the top of the fourth when the Trojans cut the lead in half with a pair of tallies. But the Rockets exploded for 11 runs in the bottom of the fourth and the game ended after Mendota’s turn at bat in the fifth.

The Trojans managed just one hit, a double off the bat of Ted Landgraf. Jacob Stohr and Mauricio Escatel each drove in a run.

Landgraf started on the hill for Mendota and absorbed the loss. He allowed five hits, six runs (four earned), struck out four and walked three. Noah Garza and Alex Figueroa Jr. also pitched for the Trojans.

***

The Trojans bounced back with an 8-5 triumph at Oregon in conference play on March 21.

Oregon broke through with a run in the third to take a 1-0 lead. The Trojans tied it in the top of the fourth and then Oregon went back on top with a pair of tallies in the fifth. But Mendota erupted for seven runs in the top of the sixth to take the lead for good. The Hawks scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to complete the scoring.

Mendota’s nine-hit attack was led by Austin Robinson with three singles and an RBI. Joel Escatel chipped in with two singles and two runs batted in, while Andrew Castaneda walloped a double.

Gavin Glazebrook pitched the first three innings for Mendota and gave up just one hit and one run. He walked four and struck out five. Castaneda worked the next three innings and was credited with the win. He permitted four hits, three runs (one earned) and fanned two. Robinson came on to get the final three outs.

***

Rock Falls recorded its second victory over Mendota in three days, 10-0, on March 22 at Faber Field.

The Rockets scored three runs in the top of the second and then made it a double-digit lead with a seven-run fifth. The Trojans did not score in the bottom of the fifth, so the game was stopped by the 10-run rule.

MHS freshman pitcher Johnnie Gonzalez was tagged with the loss despite not giving up a hit over four innings. He issued seven free passes, which Rock Falls parlayed into five runs against Gonzalez. Mason DeFore finished up on the hill for Mendota.

The Trojans collected just two hits off of Rocket starter Kody Valezquez – singles by Figueroa Jr. and Breyden Lindenmeyer.

Mendota’s defense committed six errors, which also was of benefit to Rock Falls.

***

Mendota rallied late in the game to top Oregon, 10-4, in conference action on March 25 at Faber Field.

The Trojans took a 2-0 lead in the second, but Oregon scored once in the third and three times in the fourth to grab a 4-2 lead.

Mendota went back on top with a four-run fifth and then matched that with another four-spot in the sixth to seize the victory.

Each team had just five hits. Mendota (3-4, 2-2) benefited from six Oregon errors.

DeFore singled twice and drove in two runs for the Trojans, while Robinson doubled and had three RBI.

Landgraf got the start on the hill for Mendota and worked into the sixth inning to earn the win. He allowed five hits, three earned runs, walked four and fanned eight. DeFore finished up to get the save.