Walnut Creek offense comes back alive during victory against Sonoma

Heading into Saturday, Walnut Creek was off the back of multiple rough offensive performances. 

Shut out on Thursday.

Seven runs on Friday.

In 2026, losses seemed to come in threes for the Crawdads, having two three-game losing streaks so far this season.

All of this might bring a team into their third three-game losing streak after two demoralizing losses. Not the Crawdads, though.

On Saturday in Sonoma, Walnut Creek put up 16 runs, its second highest mark in CCL play, securing a 16-7 win against Sonoma.

The well-motivated Crawdad offense wasted no time to put runs on the board. After junior infielder Alijah Ramos and senior infielder Aiden Robles got on base, sophomore catcher Riley Winchell and senior infielder Kam Taylor picked up RBIs for a two-run first.

The second and third innings saw the same result, with sophomore infielder Lucas Carslile and Robles both picking up RBIs in the second before sophomore catcher Brandon Clizbe and junior outfielder Shane Aldridge drove in runs during the third.

The most-used term by Walnut Creek coach Brant Cummings this season has been "offensive versatility". Unsurprisingly, one of the best days from the plate for the Crawdads saw a lot of versatility. The first three innings showed one part of Walnut Creek's offensive identity.

"The most important thing for us is, when we get runners on, we can move them up and score them consistently," Cummings said. "We'll have a really good chance in winning all these games, but we have to do that."

The middle three innings saw a different part of the Crawdad identity: big innings. Despite not scoring in the fourth or sixth innings, a six-run fifth made the middle three one to be remembered.

In the fifth, the Crawdads seemed to score in just about any way possible. Whether it was a fielders' choice, throwing error, passed ball or a single, Walnut Creek showed how they put together strong innings.

The last three innings showed the other part of the identity: power.

In the seventh and ninth, Crawdads' hitters went yard. The first to leave the yard was Winchell, who smashed his fourth of the season over the left field wall, the first Crawdad home run at Sonoma. 

Showcasing his power in 2026, Winchell knew another big moment was coming as he saw the ball heading to the plate.

"It was a good pitch for me to hit," Winchell said. Slider down in the zone, the kind of swing that you don't really practice, but it happens in game."

Two innings later, sophomore designated hitter Sutter Moss went yard to a similar part of the park, the 15th of 16 runs scored Saturday.

As the season has carried on and players have picked up injuries, many have needed to step up to help out. That was highlighted perfectly in Saturday's win. 

All nine hitters picked up both a hit and an RBI, the first time the Crawdads achieved that in 2026. Another impressive number was that of the nine hitters, only three players had multiple hits or RBIs.

The one who made the biggest impact was Winchell, winning player of the game after going four-for-six with three RBIs.

Having gone three games without an RBI, Winchell's coach felt a lot of joy seeing him succeed.

"He got competitive at bats," Cummings said. "Swung at good pitches and didn't miss them. I was happy to see him have the night he did."

Clizbe made the second biggest impact, being the other player to pick up two RBIs. After a rough start to 2026, Clizbe has been a vital member of the offense in recent appearances. 

The root for that might just be his mindset.

"Coming prepared with energy," Clizbe said. "The boys are here for a dogfight every single game. We're coming for that first place." 

Robles seemed to have the third biggest impact on the game, picking up three hits.

Saturday was just Robles' second game for the Crawdads and has had one of the best starts in the history of the team. In his first two games, he has gone six-for-nine with three RBIs and a home run, good for an OPS of 1.838.

Off the back of the strong day at the plate, the Crawdads now look ahead to a Sunday matchup against Menlo Park, set for 4:00 p.m. at Monte Vista High School.

After a rough stretch of scoring, going eight games scoring at or below the 2026 average, the offensive explosion could help drive Walnut Creek's offense for the final six games of the season. However, Cummings said what needs to happen in order for that offense to stay hot.

"They have to focus and understand that every day is different, every at bat's different, every inning's different," Cummings said. "If they maintain their focus and understand what their plan is, they will have success."