GAME RECAP: Schwartzberg Walks it Off to help Saddleback Survive Day 1

FOLSOM, CA- In a nail-biting game which went into extra innings, the Saddleback Bobcats survived their first game of the State Tournament against the Sierra Wolverines, with a final score of 10-9.

It was a back and forth game from the beginning with Sierra striking first with three runs in the top of the 1st inning. However, the Bobcats quickly responded in the bottom of the 1st inning, with a three-run rally from Morales, Heft, and Koniarsky.

The Wolverines managed to take the lead once again in the top of the 3rd inning with a solo home run by Joshua Hardamon, followed by three more runs. However, Koniarsky answered with a solo jack of his own in the bottom of the 3rd inning.

Saddleback didn’t give up, and in the bottom of the 4th inning, Tanaka, Davinni, and Morales scored, tying the game at 7. Sierra would later take a 9-7 lead in the top of the 7th inning.

The Bobcats continued to fight and were rewarded in the bottom of the 8th inning when Morales scored on a sacrifice fly, and Koniarsky’s RBI single scored JP Heft. Saddleback held Sierra scoreless in the 9th and 10th innings, paving the way for Zachary Schwartzberg’s walk-off pop fly RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning, winning the game for the Bobcats. Chacon’s inability to field the ball under the sun proved costly for the Wolverines, as Isaiah Morales scored the winning run.

The Bobcats will now face the winner of Folsom Lake and Santa Ana tomorrow at 2pm in the State Semifinals for a chance to punch a ticket to the State Championship on Monday. This victory was a hard-fought win for the Saddleback Bobcats.