The Sonoma Valley High baseball Dragons batted around twice in the first inning Friday, scoring 13 runs on their way to a 14-1 drubbing of Healdsburg.
Brendan Hogan and Patrick Schneider combined to pitch a no-hitter.
The first inning also included an unusual occurrence – left fielder Carsten Cuda was hit by a pitch twice in the inning.
The Dragons didn’t waste any time as Jeremy Mackling walked, Cuda was hit by a pitch, Max Handron singled loading the bases, Tyler Garrett singled home Mackling, Kole Morgan grounded into a fielder’s choice driving in Cuda and Logan Mak tripled scoring Handron and Morgan. Mak later came home in a wild pitch.
After Anthony Tommasi popped up to the third baseman, Jack Boydell doubled, Matt Norrbom singled. Mackling, who was batting for the second time, walked again loading the bases, Cuda was hit again forcing in Boydell, Handron walked driving in Norrbom, Garrett walked, Morgan singled driving in a pair, Mak walked driving in another run, Tommasi singled, Boydell singled before Norrbom popped up to the shortstop.
When the dust settled, Sonoma had sent 18 batters to the plate and 13 of them scored.
The Dragons made it a two-touchdown game in the second when Cuda was safe on an error, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored when Handron singled.
Hogan started for the Dragons and cruised through the first two innings, but walked the bases loaded in the third and only one out, but he struck out the next batter and induced an inning-ending groundout.
In the fourth, Hogan walked the leadoff batter who stole second and went to third on the overthrow at second, and later scored on a wild pitch. After Hogan walked a second man in the inning, Coach Ian Slaney brought Schneider in to relieve Hogan.
“I really wanted him to go out and get his no-no and the win,” Slaney said. “But he had six walks in 3-plus innings.”
Schneider came in and shut the door on the Greyhounds.
The game was called after 4-1/2 innings because of the 10-run rule.
“We finally hit,” said Slaney. “They’ve been working hard on their hitting. Sticking with their approach, getting their pitch and not trying to do too much.”
The Dragons pounded out 10 hits including Mak’s triple and Boydell’s double, and were helped out by five walks, three hit batters and two errors.
The win gives the Dragons a 7-8 overall record and a 3-3 mark in SCL play. The Dragons are on the road this week playing at Petaluma today, Tuesday, at 4 p.m. and then playing at Analy on Friday.
Sonoma returns home the following week hosting El Molino on May 1, and Elsie Allen on May 8.
The SCL playoffs are set to run May 15, 16 and 17.
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