Walnut Creek find consistent approach in victory against Red Tails Baseball

Running from the field to the post-game press box, Walnut Creek redshirt freshman shortstop TJ Woodson put the headset on to be crowned player of the game. 

To find out why, we have to rewind the mixtape. The silk-handed shortstop did it on the basepaths, in the field and at the plate. In the bottom half of the fourth and up 4-1, Woodson roped a double down the third base line to drive in two and effectively seal the game. In the top half of the sixth, he facilitated the second double-play turn of the game. 

Walnut Creek (2-0, 0-0 CCL) won its second in a row, defeating Red Tails Baseball 7-2 at Tom Pearse Field Thursday night. After a high-scoring 17-16 the night before, Thursday night's contest was a welcome sight. 

"I was looking for a fastball early in the count," Woodson said about his approach during the 2-RBI double. "I got one for me and was able to turn on it and drive in two runs."

The Crawdads showed more consistency showcased on Thursday night, even through the ebbs and flows of a new team. 

The Crawdads' pitching didn't let traffic on the basepaths slow down their momentum. Despite allowing baserunners, Crawdads' pitchers left 14 stranded and allowed just two runs to come across to score. 

"I often go out there when those situations come up and the first thing I say is 'do your job,'" Cummings said. "These guys out here, whether he hits a sac fly or fly ball, whatever it is, they've got to get the hitter out, and then get the next hitter out, and the next guy, if he can do that, will minimize the damage."

A huge piece of that was sophomore right-handed pitcher Kalani Jauregui — who was making his Walnut Creek debut — coming out of the bullpen and delivering a bases-loaded strikeout looking to end the top of the fifth inning

"He is athletic and he has a chance to be good," Walnut Creek coach Brant Cummings said. "(A) little better command early, fewer three-ball counts, but I think he has a chance to be good."

Sophomore left-handed relief pitcher Dylan Scott impressed Thursday night. Tasked with finishing the game, Scott went two innings. He fought around a ninth-inning error, allowing zero hits and just two walks, while striking out three.

Sophomore right-handed starting pitcher Alessandro Martinez and freshman right-handed relief pitcher Tre Golino look to build on their first starts of the year, in which they both struck out at least two batters. Martinez was able to navigate some traffic on the basepaths while Golino showcased his velocity and movement, both of which will play a vital role later in the season. 

The Crawdads' pitching was not the only driving force for Thursday's victory. The hitting, led by Woodson, continued to show consistency at the plate. On Thursday night, Walnut Creek stranded just four runners on base. 

The Crawdads' offense found a different way to generate momentum. Sprinkled in with the flashy hits and hard-hit singles were three sacrifice flies.

The basestealing IQ was effective yet again, as Woodson managed two stolen bases, including the second game in a row he stole third, alongside his Baylor teammate, sophomore left fielder Dylan Perez, who also stole two bases. 

Walnut Creek opens California Collegiate League (CCL) play against rivals Sonoma on Friday, June 5, at 6:05 p.m. PDT at Arnold Field. 

"You know, I think the feeling is really good here. We're feeling great (heading into) tomorrow," Martinez said. "I think we'll be prepared for tomorrow, and we'll be ready."