WINTERS — Dylan Galusha scattered six hits and struck out 10 on Thursday as the Middletown Mustangs beat Portola High School 5-3 in the first round of the Winters Baseball Tournament at Winters High School.
The sophomore allowed just two earned runs and he issued his first walk in three starts.
“He stayed under 100 pitches, so we didn”t have to use his arm up too much,” Middletown coach Mitch Tucker said of Galusha”s complete game. “He had good command, good velocity and lots of confidence.”
Middletown (6-6) broke open a scoreless game with two runs in the top of the third inning, the first scoring on John Hays” steal of home and the second on a Galusha RBI single.
Portola closed to 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth and both teams scored a run in the sixth, Middletown”s coming on a Tony Zagajowski RBI single, a line drive that scooted past the Portola center field, who slipped and fell as he moved in to make a play on the ball.
The Mustangs added to their 3-2 lead with two big insurance runs in the top of the seventh, both scoring on a bases-loaded double by Johnny Harmyk. Harmyk”s hit became even more critical when Portola scored a run in the bottom half of the inning.
“My guys were pumped up for the game and had lots of enthusiam,” Middletown coach Mitch Tucker said.
Hays, Galusha and Zagajowski each had two hits for the Mustangs, who had eight in all.
The Mustangs play Whitney High School of Rocklin today in the winner”s semifinals at noon.
The tournament concludes Saturday.
