March 9, 2018:
On the strength of a ten-game winning streak, the Sierra College baseball team currently sits on top of the Big 8 Conference standings. The Wolverines are 15-4 overall (5-0 in the Big 8) following a 10-1 win at American River on Thursday.
Tyler Gums paces Sierra with a state-leading six wins. In 41 innings, Gums has posted an earned run average of 1.10 with 46 strikeouts (2nd in the conference). Nathan Barry has complied five wins in 31 innings, a 1.45 ERA and a save. Offensively, Dylan Smethurst is fifth in the Big 8, hitting .410 with 19 runs batted in. Isaiah Garcia leads the Wolverines with 24 RBI (4th in the Big 8) and a .373 average.
Against the Beavers (7-13, 2-3) on Thursday, Gums picked up his sixth victory in seven starts, allowing just one run in six innings and striking out 10. Hector Sepulveda picked up his second save of the year, throwing three shutout innings and striking out three. Offensively, Larry Fonseca had three hits and three RBI, Matt Lopez was 3 for 4 with two RBI and Haruto Nakano added two hits in five at bats.
On Tuesday, March 6, Sierra pounded out 19 hits in a 21-2 home victory over American River, which committed five errors. Garcia went 4 for 4 with four RBI and a home run and four other Wolverines collected multiple hits. Umino Takashi picked up the victory, allowing three hits in two innings and striking out three.
Story by Scott Johnston, photo by Dave Lawicka