Varsity baseball falls to Palo Alto in eighth inning

The varsity baseball team lost 5-2 to the Palo Alto High School Vikings in 8 innings today, March 17, 2010. 

The Vikings hit a three run home run in the eighth inning for their first lead of the game and the Eagles could not overcome it.

The Eagles started with a triple in the first by junior Mat Snider, who was later brought home by an RBI single by sophomore Nolan O’Such. 

The Vikings responded.  With two outs they benefited from a close call at first on a slow ground ball that allowed a runner from third to score.

The Eagles regained the lead in the bottom of the second on a sacrifice fly by senior Danny Auerbach. It was a lead the Eagles would not relinquish till the sixth inning, as starting pitcher junior Mitch Kehlet regained control over his pitches after hitting three batters in the first three innings. From the third to the sixth, he held the Viking offense to no hits.

But the Eagles failed to score despite several opportunities. In the fourth with the bases loaded, Danny grounded into a double play to end the inning. In the fifth, Mat smoked a line drive to first that was caught, and senior Chris Maki was doubled up and tagged out at third. 

In the sixth, the Vikings tied the game with a leadoff homerun. In response, Mitch struck out the following two batters, and freshman Steven McClain gunned out a Viking trying for a double with a throw from center field.

The Vikings changed pitchers in the sixth, but the Eagles again struggled to score, despite two leadoff singles. Sophomore Luke Wiechec struck out and senior Austin O’Such was picked off at second while attempting to steal.

Mitch continued his solid pitching into the seventh by recording a one, two, three inning, including a strikeout and a diving catch by Steven. Mitch finished the game with seven innings pitched, with three hits and two runs given up.

The Vikings bats finally awoke in the eighth. Mitch was replaced by senior Keegan Kliman, and the Vikings proceeded to tie the game. This was capped by a three run homerun that made the score 5-2, and the Eagles failed to score in the bottom of the eighth, ending the game.

The Eagles have a rematch against the Vikings this Friday, March 19 at Palo Alto High School.