SANTA ROSA — The Montgomery Vikings scored all the runs they would need in the bottom of the first inning — eight to be exact — and went on to beat the Middletown Mustangs 14-7 in non-league varsity baseball action Friday afternoon at Santa Rosa.
Montgomery (3-2) battered Middletown starter Dax Green for 11 runs in the first two innings, but the Mustangs (0-2) didn’t go quietly, getting as close as 11-6 with a four-run top of the fourth. They finished the game with more hits than the Vikings, 16-14, but they also made five errors to Montgomery’s none.
While the Vikings helped themselves during an eight-run first with several hits, they were greatly aided by three Middletown errors in the inning, according to Middletown head coach Tyler Holt.
“The errors just killed us,” Holt said. “And they were hitting the gaps as well (with their hits).”
Middletown took a 1-0 lead in the top of the when Green (5-for-5) led off the game with a triple and later scored. The Mustangs added another run in the second but Montgomery came back with three in the bottom half to go up 11-2.
The Mustangs scored all four of their runs in the fourth after two were out and the bases empty. Zach Dubois was hit by a pitch to keep the inning alive and each of the next five Middletown hitters — Green, Luke Hoogendoorn (4-for-5), Jesse Young (2-for-5), Cole Ketchum (2-for-4) and Bryan Riel (3-for-4) followed with singles. Ketchum finished with three RBIs.
Opening the season against the likes of Justin-Siena and Montgomery — and with a 4-0 Colusa club visiting Middletown on Tuesday — is a tough way to start the year, but Holt said he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I like starting off against strong teams,” Holt said. “There’s no one like Justin-Siena or Montgomery in our league. It’s a little rough now and it can be tough on your confidence, but it will make us a better team down the road. We’re slowly but steadily getting there. They hit the ball well today.”
Middletown used four pitchers in all before it was over. Green lasted only 1 1/3 innings, allowing 11 runs (seven earned) on eight hits.
Besides Green’s triple to lead off the game, he added a double later in the game. The remainder of the team’s hits were singles.
Both of Middletown’s games next week are at Wes Martin Field. They also host St. Bernard’s of Eureka on Friday.
