Walnut Creek uses long ball and strong pitching to end three-game losing skid

Heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, the game was closer than it had been in a while. After establishing a 3-0 lead in the fourth, that lead was trimmed to two, then one by the time Walnut Creek stepped up to hit in the seventh. 

First baseman Kam Taylor, who was awaiting his first home run of the summer, led off the bottom of the seventh for the Crawdads. After falling behind 0-1, Taylor took three straight balls, falling into a hitter-friendly 3-1 count. From there, Taylor's long-awaited power surge finally struck. 

On the next pitch, he roped one over the wall, extending the lead by two and helping thwart an Alameda comeback started just a half inning prior. He smiled as he trotted around the basepaths and was later designated as the Player of the Game. 

The Crawdads ended their three-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Merchants on Friday night at Monte Vista High School. Two home runs on the day, alongside timely, in-the-zone pitching — something Coach Brant Cummings preached — and defensive wizardry helped see out the 19th win on the year. 

"We needed it," Cummings said regarding the win. "We're in a pennant race … So we needed a win today. I don't know how they (San Luis) did today, but it's getting close. I think we're less than two weeks away (from playoffs). So it's big to get a win today."

Shortstop Alijah Ramos stood front and center, playing a pivotal part in the Crawdads' fielding display. In the top of the ninth and up three runs, Ramos caught a sharp liner and doubled off the runner at first, shifting the moment from a runner on first with no one out to two outs and nobody on. 

For yet another game, the Crawdads committed fewer errors than their opponent, committing just one in the game. 

"It's an incredible feeling," Walnut Creek right-handed pitcher Jacob Kobrin said. "You're up on the mound without any doubt. If they beat you and hit a ball hard, they're (the defense is going to make a good play and get out of it."

Taylor's homer, alongside designated hitter Ryan Ellis, effectively sealed off all the gas fueling a potential comeback. They weren't the only offensive producers on Sunday. Right fielder Shane Aldridge, second baseman Lucas Carlisle and center fielder Bryden Bull all tallied hits in Sunday's contest as well.

On the flip side of the diamond, all arms pitched effectively, playing a major part in ending the three-game skid. Neither of the two runs allowed was earned, as they allowed a mere five hits. 

Right-handed pitcher Vance Haskins went 2.1 innings, allowing no baserunners and striking out one. Kobrin finished the game, earning his first save of the year after going an inning and striking out one. 

"One thing about this team is that we're resilient," Ellis said. "We bounced back after a three-game losing skid. It was really nice to see our pitchers go out there and compete, limit base runners and give ourselves a chance." 

The Crawdads hope to ride out of the off-day the same way they ran into it, with a win. They have the opportunity to win their 20th game of the year when they play Menlo Park on Tuesday, July 14,  away from home, at Baylands Park at 6:00 p.m.