It took 10 innings, but it was worth the wait for the Sierra College baseball team. The Wolverines completed a three-game sweep of Santa Rosa with a 5-4 extra innings, walk-off that gave them the 2018 Big 8 Conference championship.
Sierra's Larry Fonseca (3x5, 2 RBI) got the customary dog pile started with a game-winning single to right field that drove in Dylan Smethurst, sending the Wolverines to the postseason on a high note.
"Winning the Big 8 is a remarkable feat because the conference is widely regarded as the best in California," said Sierra head coach Rob Willson. "I look forward to seeing how far we can take this, but we understand there are many quality teams at this level and we take nothing for granted. We will have to play great baseball each weekend if we want to obtain our ultimate goal."
Nate Barry threw nine innings and allowed just three earned runs and Hector Sepulveda pitched the 10th to pick up the win. Charles Middleton (3x4), Matt Lopez (3x5) and Zach Bushing (2x5) had multiple hits for Sierra, which opens the Regional Playoffs on Friday, May 4 at home. The Wolverines' first round opponent will be determined on Tuesday, May 1.
"This team is full of team-first players who genuinely want us to win," said Willson. "It has been a tremendous pleasure to be able to coach the amazing young men this season."
Story by Scott Johnston, photo by David Sanborn