Crawdads keeping it simple, extend their win streak to 13 games

After one and a half frames of baseball, Walnut Creek and Sonoma remained deadlocked at one. It started as most CCL rivalry games in the past: close, tight-knit baseball. The not-so-newcomer infielder Lucas Carlisle, who has played in this rivalry a game prior, understood his assignment. 

The line-drive hitter plays a routinely different game from others. While a great fielder, he relies on line drives, speed and bunting to generate hits. He successfully laid down bunts in his prior two games and now, with a chance to tie the longest CCL win streak in 2026, he stepped into the box with a runner on second and two away. 

Some get fazed by pressure or rivalry games, some embrace it, and others are neutral to the experience. The Crawdads, who have continued to hit with two outs, needed another hit to try to blow the doors open. Carlisle drilled a 1-1 changeup on a liner over the left field wall for his first home run of the season, leaving the left fielder to turn back towards the field of play after a few steps and see the Crawdads' dugout celebrations. 

The not-so-newcomer marked the demise of Sonoma in Walnut Creek's 8-2 win on Wednesday night at Monte Vista High School. Walnut Creek's 13th straight win ties the 2026 CCL record. 

"It's an expectation now to win," Carlisle said. "I go into the game knowing we're going to win, our pitchers are going to compete, they're going to throw strikes and we're going to put up runs." 

Carlisle's been on a tear since joining the Crawdads. He is hitting .385 with three RBIs, one home run, three stolen bases, eight runs scored and an OPS above 1.200 in five games. Carlisle's game is much improved in his eyes and despite being a good bunter, he still wants to improve in said area. 

"I'll say something that my college coach helped me with and that is the ability to drag bunt," Carlisle said. "It's gotten me a few hits and at times set up a bunch of runs. It's a beneficial tool. I'm gonna keep working on it, keep getting better at it. It's a free hit when they're back." 

His fellow middle-infielder partner, Alijah Ramos, found ways to do damage against his former team at the plate. Ramos is 7-for-18 with five RBIs and a double against the Stompers this season. 

After some stressful times at the plate, Ramos turned over a new leaf. Ramos registered multiple hits in his last two games, both against Sonoma, after three straight no-hit games at the plate. Ramos mentioned a change in mindset and how his mindset is to get out of ruts. 

"I have been going back to the drawing board," Ramos said. "It's a long summer, and I'm trying to figure out what to do to maximize my swings at the plate. What I tried to do this week is start a little bit earlier and keep it really simple. I said that in the very beginning of the season, too, and I feel like that's what works best for me. Despite the team I'm playing, that's what I've been trying to go for."

Starting pitching is something most teams have; bullpens, on the other hand, are not. Luckily, Walnut Creek has both. 

Right-hander Alex Gomez made his second start of the season — sixth appearance overall — and kept his ERA below 2.00, as is the case with multiple Crawdads' pitchers thus far. Gomez surrendered a run on two hits and one walk while striking out a season-high five batters. 

The bullpen allowed one run and four hits through six innings of work. Five guys entered from the bullpen and combined for seven strikeouts, something the Crawdads have excelled at this season. 

Left-hander Michael Olsen went two innings to close the game out and absolutely dominated. He allowed zero baserunners, as did right-hander Kody Perry in his inning of relief prior, shutting down any hope of a possible comeback.   

Olsen mentioned what is working for him on the mound as of late. 

"Honestly, my slider," Olsen said. "(Riley) Winchell told me, 'They're not seeing the slider, just keep on throwing it, and then if they can see it, just throw the fastball, it'll work,' so trusting in him was a big part."

Alongside Ramos and Carlisle, two other Crawdads had multi-hit days. Designated hitter and CCL All-Star Ryan Ellis finished the day 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk, while Outfielder and CCL All-Star Daniel Polasek went 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored. 

Walnut Creek continues to wreak havoc on the basepaths, something coach Brant Cummings actively pushes his players to improve on and utilize. First baseman Kam Taylor's two stolen bases led the way in a game in which Walnut Creek stole six total. 

The Crawdads have one last game before heading into the All-Star break. The CCL season-high win streak can be theirs alone if they defeat Alameda on Thursday, July 2, at 4:00 PDT at Chabot College.