Gritty Walnut Creek fights off injury bug in victory over Menlo Park

There might not be a more fitting three words to describe the mindset inside the Walnut Creek dugout than "next man up".

As the 2026 season has gone longer, the injury bug hit the Crawdads. With fatigue building on players bodies, Walnut Creek is still managing to win games at a high level.

Now 24-10 and atop the CCL North after taking down Menlo Park 6-3, the mentality to step up when needed has driven the Crawdads to success.

In Tuesday's victory, that exact theme made itself very apparent. All six runs were driven in by different players, with eight of 10 players coming up to the plate recording a hit. 

Players stepped up the same way in the field. Against the Legends, the lineup consisted of many players at positions they typically haven't played in the Summer.

In the outfield, junior Shane Aldridge and sophomore Brandon Clizbe both started outside of natural positions. Aldridge, normally a right fielder, moved to center for the game. While the move might not be the biggest challenge for the skilled defender, it is still a testament to his versatility. 

Clizbe, on the other hand, has seemed to transition to a near full-time outfielder, well outside of the comfort zone of any average catcher. Unsurprisingly, Clizbe is no average catcher. Having many opportunities in the outfield, Clizbe has shown just how willing he is to step up when asked. Whether it's making great throws home or laying out for fly balls, he's thrived as an extra body for the outfield.

In the infield, Walnut Creek has been able to utilize a strategy they have been using all summer long: three shortstops. 

While not all Crawdad infielders are natural shortstops, they all seem to be able to play there. The value of having three shortstops in the infield is that second and third base are taken up by players more than capable of playing their position at a high level.

Having a group of players willing to be slotted in where needed, Walnut Creek head coach Brant Cummings is grateful.

"It's important because we are limited," Cummings said. "If we don't have them, it would be a struggle for us."

The perfect example of the "next man up" mentality is senior infielder Aiden Robles.

Playing both shortstop and third base as the Crawdad infield became depleted by injuries, Robles has done an incredible job stepping up. Starting all four games since joining the team last week, Robles is 9-for-17 with five RBIs and a home run. Through four games, his OPS is 1.403.

The addition of Robles is not just beneficial to the Crawdads, it's beneficial to him as well. While he appreciates the help it's giving his development, he talks about the impact that each at bat has on preparing himself for the playoffs.

"Huge," Robles said. "We're pushing for a playoff run. I'm doing it for the guys, doing it for the pitchers, trying to make sure we come out with a W."

While the pitching staff has not been hit by injuries as much as position players have, it has still not been a cakewalk of a Summer for the Crawdad staff.

On Tuesday, two pitchers stood out as having important outings: sophomores Alessandro Martinez and Weston Thornbury. 

Martinez started the game with four innings of two-hit shutout ball, striking out six batters. Thornbury pitched later in the game, going two innings of baseball allowing just two baserunners.

With every appearance mentally preparing the players for the playoffs, Thornbury wants to slow his mind down on the mound.

"For us to stay consistent, we have to not get too ahead of ourselves and take everything one pitch at a time," Thornbury said. "Be present throughout every moment in the games and not get complacent, no matter what the score is."

Now, the Crawdads look ahead to a Wednesday matchup hosting the San Francisco Seagulls at 4:00 p.m.

With just four games left in the regular season for the Crawdads, Cummings is hoping to continue to see his players step up when necessary. 

"We're banged up, but we have to find a way to make it through it," Cummings said. "That's the end all be all. We have to be healthy enough to play the games and be able to do our jobs."