The Alameda Hornets’ baseball team continued its winning ways with a 15-4 victory over the San Leandro Pirates last Friday, May 1.

You wouldn’t know from the final score, but the contest was a close game, at least through six innings. The Pirates managed to score two run in the bottom of the sixth inning to bring the score to a 4-4 tie entering the top half of the seventh and final inning. The Hornets were able to regroup from the letdown of giving up the lead to score 11 runs in the seventh inning. It was the Hornets biggest offensive output of the season. 

Starting San Leandro pitcher junior Keiller Morash pitched a modest four and one-third innings giving up a modest two earned runs and four hits. The three pitchers who took the mound after him had a much more difficult time facing the Hornet offense. Freshman Gerald Nervis, senior Michael Hidalgo and junior Bradlee Beasley gave up eight earned runs (11 total) and nine hits in just two and two-thirds innings. In all, the Pirates allowed 11 hits, seven walks and three hit-by-pitches, and committed four errors.

The pitching for the Hornets was much better. Alameda starting pitcher Mitchell Nakahara pitched all seven innings giving up just one earned run (four total), eight hits and two walks on 96 pitches. He also had five strikeouts. It was a total team effort for the Hornets at the plate led by outfielder Francisco Pedraza. The junior went 4 for 5 with a stolen base and three runs scored. He singled and scored in Alameda’s three-run fifth inning (driven in by right fielder Josh Meadows), and he singled twice and scored twice in the team’s 11-run seventh inning.

Alameda sophomore Devin Nash reached base four times including three walks. He drove in two runs in the contest. His sophomore teammate Josh Meadows drove in four runs and catcher Charlie Konstantino went 2 for 5 and drove in two runs. 

The win brings Alameda’s overall record to 15-5 on the season. They played at Castro Valley on Tuesday and will play the Trojans again today at Lincoln Park.

Contact Ekene Ikeme at eikeme@alamedasun.com.