Walnut Creek fall to Alameda, end 13-game win streak

Walnut Creek's 13 game win streak came to a close following a 13-3 defeat to Alameda on June 2, at Chabot College. Despite the 10-run difference on the scoreboard, Walnut Creek had some positive takeaways along with big individual performances. 

Outfielder Shane Aldridge smacked his first home run into right field in the third inning to open the scoring for the Crawdads and cut the deficit to 2-1. 

Aldridge finished his day 1-for-4 and made some key defensive plays. He credited coach Brant Cummings for the work that they have put in together this season and most recently, last week, to help him re-ignite his hot bat. 

"I just want to shout out Coach Cummings," Aldridge said. "I worked with him one on one a couple of days ago, fixed some things with my swing, and I feel like I'm getting better every day, and we saw there in my first swing of the day."

Outfielder Bryden Bull cranked a homer of his own in the fourth inning to cut the deficit to 4-3. Bull finished the day 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a walk. 

Right-handed pitcher Myles Brand went his sixth straight appearance without allowing an earned run. He was also the only Walnut Creek pitcher to not allow a run against Alameda on Thursday night. 

Brand allowed one hit-by-pitch, one hit and struck out three across one and two third innings.

Coach Cummings had some positive takeaways from his team's loss on Thursday night despite the 10-run difference. 

"He (Aldridge) had the home run," Cummings said. "Bull had the opposite field home run, which was good. Drew Longaker caught well today, had a couple hits, those are some of the highlights." 

The Crawdads head into the All-Star break 17-5 in conference play. The next game will be played against Menlo Park on July 7, at 4:00 p.m. at Monte Vista High School.