Oaks second baseman Chris Rinaudo makes a play on a ball hit during the fifth inning of Post 383's game against West Sacramento at River City High School. The Oaks won the contest 8-1.
Fair Oaks 8, West Sacramento 1 (League: 5-3, Overall: 5-3) - June 17 @ River City High School - Avenging a 6-1 loss the previous day, Fair Oaks crushed West Sacramento 8-1 at River City High School on June 17 to climb into a three-way tie with Yolo and Galt for first place in the American Legion's District 6.
West Sacramento took a 1-0 lead early, scoring a lone run in the first inning, but the Oaks got the lead back for starting pitcher Brian Janowiak with a pair of runs in the fifth and never looked back.
With one out, designated hitter Ryan Stevens and second baseman Chris Rinaudo drew back-to-back walks. Stevens was erased, however, on an attempted steal when Rinaudo was at the plate. Left fielder Charles Smith then got a hit to left center that sent Rinaudo to third. Smith motored into second on the throw trying to get Rinaudo. Third baseman Jason Lomascola followed with a double to score both Rinaudo and Smith to make it a 2-1 game.
Janowiak, who put West Sacramento down in order in the third and fourth, continued that trend into the fifth. A lone base runner reached in the sixth on a close play shortstop to first.
The Oaks took control of the game in the seventh with three runs as Stevens led off with a shot off the pitcher's leg that deflected past shortstop. With Rinaudo at the plate, a passed ball and wild pitch moved Stevens to third. Rinaudo struck out, but the next batter - Smith - got a hit to shallow right center that scored Stevens to make it 3-1. Lomascola then got a hit to center that sent Smith to third and prompted a West Sacramento pitching change. The new hurler promptly gave up a hit to center fielder Mickey Weisser, however, to score both Smith and Lomascola to make it a 5-1 game.
Janowiak again sent West Sacramento down in order in the bottom of the seventh and the Oaks came back to score another pair of runs in the top of the eighth for a 7-1 lead.
Shortstop Kyle Richardson led off with a slow roller past short, A bad throw to first sent Richardson to second and with catcher Joe Gaggero at the plate, a passed ball sent Richardson to third. Gaggero struck out, but then Stevens doubled to score Richardson. Derek Chase then grounded to short to move Stevens to third and he scored on a Smith hit to center to make it 7-1.
Janowiak continued to dominate West Sacramento, sending them down in order in the bottom of the eighth and ninth. In between, the Oaks scored their last run of the game in the top of the ninth. With one out, first baseman Tyler Robertson hit a ball toward short. The ball rolled under the shortstop's glove and Robertson was safe. With Steve Rinaudo at the plate, a bad pickoff sent Robertson to second and he scored as Rinaudo hit a ball to short. The throw to first went over the first baseman's head and Robertson came home to make it 8-1.
TEAM
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5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
FAIR OAKS
0
0
0
0
2
0
3
2
1
8
12
0
WEST SAC.
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
4
3
Fair Oaks: Pitching - Janowiak and Gaggero. Top Hitters - Stevens 2x4, 2B; Smith 3x4, 2 RBI; Lomascola 3x5, 2B, 2 RBI; Weisser 2x4, 2 RBI; Richardson 2x5. West Sacramento: Pitching - Not Available. Top Hitters - Not Available.
