Walnut Creek sputters, loses second-straight

Two rivals: Walnut Creek and Sonoma. Both looked to strengthen their postseason push at Monte Vista High School, as multiple timelines unfolded on the grass-and-dirt canvas. 

With an ejection in the ninth inning, constant lively banter, multiple warnings and a down-to-the-wire finish, the old cliché "expect the unexpected" reigned true. Unfortunately, this timeline didn't align with the Crawdads' attempt to sustain first place in the California Collegiate League North Division, falling to the Stompers 9-7. While the scoreline failed to reflect the result wanted by home supporters, Crawdads players and coaches, it showcased how impactful certain players can be, even ones who joined a day prior. 

That is the case with infielder Aiden Robles. The brother of Walnut Creek assistant coach  Eric Robles found himself near the top of the pedestal in Walnut Creek history. In his first at-bat of the summer donning the red and black, Robles smoked a ball deep into left over the wall, hitting a towering home run in his first-ever plate appearance. 

Robles didn't stop there. His next at-bat was a double into right, and the ensuing plate appearance, a bloop single also in right field. With the number 15 etched across his back, Robles didn't disappoint its legendary status. In all, he finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBI and a hit-by-pitch. 

"I was trying to have fun, " Robles said. "These guys brought me in. It is a great group of guys. From the training staff all the way to the interns and all the guys on the team. My goal is to try to help the team win, help this team secure first place in the North, and go far in the playoffs."

Robles wasn't the only hitter to deliver a show-stopping performance. Catcher Joe Coupland hit a 106 miles per hour home run over 420 feet — the Crawdads' longest home run of the season. Coupland finished 2-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and two RBI. 

"I only saw one pitch," Coupland said when talking about his approach during his home run. "I think it was a slider, just a floater over the middle. That is what he was throwing to every other hitter. I recognized that, and that was my approach." 

On the flip side, right-handed pitcher Jeremy Jones started on the bump, delivering five innings — his longest of the summer. Jones continued to impress. He allowed three hits, one walk, two runs, and struck out five, exiting the game with a 5-2 lead. He also fired just over 10 pitches per inning. 

Walnut Creek will have a chance at revenge against Sonoma on Saturday, July 18, when they travel to Arnold Field at 6:05 p.m. PDT. Walnut Creek manager Brant Cummings mentioned discipline and runners in scoring position numbers as his main focal points to turn around the losing ways.