Gridley junior Marcus Duncan (6) gets a base hit on March 20 in the Bulldogs’ victory over Central Valley. Photo by Chris Pedigo

 

TEMPLETON, CA (YSBC) - The Gridley baseball team returned home this past weekend from the Central Coast Baseball Classic where they went 1-3 throughout the tournament that took place in Templeton from April 8-10th.

The Bulldogs have been regulars at the Central Coast Baseball Classic over years past as they have taken this opportunity to play higher level competition that will help them get ready for league play.

Gridley head coach Dan Crabtree expressed to YSBC that this tournament tests them during tournament play and it is a great opportunity to see teams that they do not regularly see.

The Bulldogs got to see a couple of teams from the CIF Central Coast Section (Templeton and San Luis Obispo) and the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section (Pitman and Merced).

Gridley senior Tanner Abbott (5) smacks a triple on March 20 during the Bulldogs’ victory over Central Valley. Photo by Steven Bryla

Gridley struggled in their tournament opener offensively against Templeton as sophomore Trey Rosser recorded the only hit for the Bulldogs with a double in the loss.

The Eagles led 5-0 after the third and that was all they needed to hold on to the victory against the Bulldogs.

Gridley gave Pitman a fight in their second game as they took an early 2-0 lead in the first after they capitalized on a couple errors by the Pride.

Pitman took the lead in the second 4-2 as Bulldogs senior Tanner Abbott struggled to find the zone after he walked three hitters in the inning.

Abbott pitched 3 ⅓ in the loss where he allowed seven runs off of two hits, walked seven and struck out seven.

Gridley senior Tanner Abbott (5) tosses a five- inning no hitter on March 31 in the Bulldogs’ victory against Corning. Photo by Steven Bryla

Gridley tied the game in the third as Rosser hit a two-RBI double that scored Abbott and senior Eli Punzo.

Pitman knocked Abbott out in the fourth as the Pride capitalized on two of the Bulldogs three errors in the game.

Gridley didn’t go away quietly as they once again tied the game at seven in the fifth after senior Aceson Gomez lined a two-RBI double to left to cut the Pitman lead 7-6.

Bulldogs junior Marcus Duncan tied the game a few hitters later when he walked with the bases loaded.

Putnam won the game on a walk-off sacrifice bunt in the fifth which handed Gridley a competitive-heartbreaking loss.

Gridley sophomore Trey Rosser (3) lifts the ball on March 31 in the Bulldogs’ win over Corning. Photo by Steven Bryla

The Bulldogs ended their double-head with a 20-1 loss to San Luis Obispo where the Gridley lineup was held to two hits, which were by Abbott and Duncan.

Gridley ended the tournament on a positive note as they defeated Merced in walk-off fashion.

It was a back-and-forth game where big innings mattered to both teams. Errors contributed to five runs for the Bears against the Bulldogs.

Timely hitting and patience at the plate were a huge boost for Gridley in the win.

Gridley junior Marcus Duncan (6) runs the bases during the Bulldogs’ victory over Corning on March 31. Photo by Steven Bryla

The Bulldogs had four hitters in the game with multi-RBIs and Duncan led the way with two hits.

Gridley was down 11-9 heading into their final at-bat and the patience at the plate took over.

The Bulldogs drew two walks and two Gridley hitters were hit by the pitch.

Abbott delivered the lone win of the tournament for the Bulldogs with an RBI single.

Gridley had a big matchup this week in Westside League play as they played Las Plumas.

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