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Gridley Herald

Drakes Slump as they Drop Five of Last Six

Jun 22, 2023 12:00AM ● By Story and photos by Steven Bryla

Marysville pitcher Neal Boudreau throws a pitch in the Drakes 9-2 defeat to San Rafael on Thursday, June 15.

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - The Marysville Drakes had a rough week as they dropped five of their six games throughout the week of June 11-17.

Earlier in the season Marysville skipper Bill Rogan expressed that all the early season wins were like putting them into a bank and cherished them at the time.

“We’ve had our moments throughout the games,” Rogan said. If you have been put to watch the Drakes this season, you must have noticed the shift in the lineup throughout the past week.

There is no doubt the injury bug has hit Marysville hard and although there aren’t any excuses trying to be made as the next man up mentality is all-around.

The middle infield for the Drakes took the biggest hit as shortstop Earl Johnson Jr. suffered a hand injury and second baseman Erik Mitchell suffered a concussion, where both were out of the lineup from June 14-17.

Additionally, outfielder Jalen Gordon has missed time due to a hamstring injury.

With Marysville’s short depth in the infield, they had happened to make a couple days prior that brought infielder Calvin Cromwell.

The Drakes acquired Cromwell in a trade from Dublin for former Marysville outfielder Keree Tekra.

Rogan told the Dispatch he first saw Cromwell at a tryout for the Pioneer League last year in Tucson, Ariz.

“He made some nice play at short and I followed him throughout the four-day tryout and he was also able to put the bat on the ball,” Rogan said.

The other noticeable difference for the Drakes offense is they haven’t had double-digit runs in any of their six games throughout the week as they averaged over 10 runs a game prior to the game on June 11.

Marysville outfielder Drake Ayala expressed to the Dispatch that it's noticeable they’re in a slump but they are still giving it their all.

That’s one of the biggest things Rogan appreciates about his squad. “We’re not jumpin at one another’s throats and we’re keeping a good attitude,” Rogan said.

Drakes catcher Tyler Carpenter told the Dispatch they are quick to flip the switch on a game whether it results in a win or loss.

“We have a 50-game season in a little over a two-month period, so we don’t have time to think about the loss,” Carpenter said.

Carpenter added they can play and beat any team in the league as they have beaten every team in the Pacific Division with the exception of Bakersfield when the teams first square off on July 15.

Ayala told the Dispatch the key for trying to stay healthy is eating right, sleeping well and recovering smartly.

The cushion Marysville had in a distance between fourth and fifth place diminished with the slump as they had a half game lead over Martinez before the two teams squared off on June 18.

The positive for the Drakes is that out of their five games this week, they play Dublin three times as Marysville is 2-0 versus Dublin on the year.

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