<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
Upon arriving at Blair Field and learning of Jordan’s surprising loss to Cabrillo in the afternoon game, coach Andy Hall and the Wilson Bruins knew their game against Poly had new significance. <\/span>Last Friday, the Panthers upset Wilson, making Wilson’s chances of finishing in the league’s top four somewhat slim—but with Jordan losing to Cabrillo, Wilson knew a win would nearly guarantee them a playoff spot, with just games against Cabrillo and Compton remaining. <\/span>The Bruins got what they needed in an ugly 6-1 win that gave them a confidence boost, as well as a leg up in the standings.<\/p>\n Both teams’ top pitchers were feeling weary—though both would come in later—so instead of Tommy Nance and Mario Gordon, it was Wilson’s J.T. Mazalewski and Poly’s Jordan Wilcox on the bump to start. <\/span>The Jackrabbits got on the board first in the top of the first, as Mazalewski came out a little shaky, hitting or walking the bases loaded with the first three batters. <\/span>Then he got Nikko Santos to strike out; Henry Severson drove in Kevin Nanbara with a fielder’s choice that saw the Bruins getting the second out at third. <\/span>Still, the Jackrabbits had a chance to go up even bigger—but Mazalewski got Tyler Maxwell to ground out, ending the inning.<\/p>\n That was all Poly would get as Mazalewski was solid through five innings, giving up just one hit and striking out four.<\/p>\n Wilson answered back quickly, tying the game in the bottom of the first—the first batter grounded out, but Tanner Perkins reached first when Mario Gordon’s throw from shortstop was high to first. <\/span>He then advanced to third when Wilcox’s pick throw to first got by Jeff Turley, and Cody Harris’ sac fly scored him. <\/span>Both pitcher worked quickly until Wilson got the deciding run in the bottom of the third, with some textbook small ball.<\/p>\n Sean Buckle took first after being hit by a pitch, then he stole second, and moved to third on Phil Visico’s ground out. <\/span>Tanner Perkins knocked a long single into right to give Wilson a lead they’d build on for the rest of the game, adding four more against Gordon in the fifth. <\/span>The Jackrabbits threatened in the bottom of the sixth, when Nance walked the bases loaded with two outs—but he got his second strikeout of the inning on Terrell Kimbrough to end the inning.<\/p>\n With three tough losses last week, Hall says, “A lot of confidence was shaken—now, we feel pretty good about our chances.” <\/span>Wilson will close against the bottom of the standings on Friday and next Tuesday.<\/p>\n Poly’s still got some work to do, with Compton, Lakewood, and Cabrillo left—if they beat Compton on Friday, next week’s tussle with Lakewood will be for second place (Poly already beat Lakewood once). <\/span>It was with that in mind that Poly coach Toby Hess held Gordon out until late in the third. <\/span>“[Gordon] was a little tired, and we didn’t want him to throw seven innings.” <\/span>Count on seeing him next Tuesday at Blair against the Lancers, at 6:30pm.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n