[Baseball] Blanset's Homer Helps Hawks Split against Bethesda in Season-Openers

LAKESIDE, Calif. — David Blanset hit a timely 2-run homer to give the Hawks the lead in Game 2 and it was enough for SDC to split the season-opening doubleheader against Bethesda Friday.

The Hawks dropped Game 1 7-4 before winning a wild Game 2 8-6.

In the first game, the Hawks were able to get on the board in the bottom half of the first inning. Mario Morales tripled to center field past the diving center fielder of the Flames.

BUSC was able to get it right back in the top of the second with a bases-clearing double to right center for a 3-2 lead. In the fifth, Joel Pedretti tied the game with an RBI single to left scoring Sebastian Yasuda.

But the Flames scored two runs in the eighth and ninth innings for the 7-3 advantage. Morales tallied his third RBI of the game with a sac fly but it wasn't enough as the Hawks left two runners on base.

SDC scored their four runs on seven hits. Hayden Gilbert and Morales led with two hits apiece. SDC starter Tyler Brassfield went three innings allowing two hits on three runs while striking out three. Jack Chamberlain was tabbed with the loss as he came into the eighth inning and gave up two runs. The Hawks pitching staff issued 11 walks in the game to only five hits.

In Game 2, the umpires had to call the game due to darkness. At the time, the game was in the seventh inning and the Flames had tied the game 8-8 with runners in scoring position. Since the coaches and umpires agreed there was no continuation of the game if it got called due to darkness, the game reverted back to the end of the sixth inning when the Hawks grabbed their lead.

After two scoreless innings, the Flames scored two runs in the top of the third. The Hawks again immediately answered with three in the bottom half of the inning. Pedretti singed home Gilbert for the first run. With Morales on first and Pedretti on second, the two each stole a base, but thanks to an errant throw from the catcher, Pedretti was able to trot home for the second run of the inning. Tanner Mayberry then hit an RBI single to right field scoring Morales from second.

Bethesda was able to regain the lead with four runs in the fifth, now in front 6-3. SDC added three in fifth to tie the game at 6-6 before Blanset's homer gave the Hawks the lead and the win.

Hawks starter, Brock Mosier, went five innings allowing seven hits, six earned (two earned) while walking two and striking out four. Brendan Sweany earned the win with one strikeout in an inning's work.

The two teams will play another DH starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday.