MARIPOSA SECOND BASEMAN TOMMY STICKLES TAGS THE BAG TO BEAT THE RUNNER AND FIRES TO FIRST BASE TO COMPLETE A DOUBLE PLAY AGAINST DELHI LAST THURSDAY. THE GRIZZLIES ROLLED TO A 21-0 SAL WIN. GAZETTE PHOTO BY DAN TUCKER Mariposa’s varsity Grizzlies kept pace with Waterford last Thursday afternoon, crushing Delhi, 21-0, in just five innings to move their record in Southern Athletic League play to 4-1.

The Wildcats are atop the league standings with a 5-1 mark, but Mariposa lays claim to Waterford’s solo league loss.

Delhi’s pitching staff was no match for the Mariposa line-up. The Grizzlies ripped 12 hits, while starting and winning pitcher Jacob Johnson, along with Jarrett Leonard and Cody Stitt, held the Hawks hitless.

In the bottom of the first inning, Tommy Stickles led off with a base on balls, stole second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Colin Ritter worked a full count into another free pass before senior shortstop Jarrett Miller smashed a double to the rightfield fence, pushing Stickles over the plate.

Senior catcher Kevin Foraker drew a walk, and designated hitter Austin Garibay earned an RBI with his walk, pushing Ritter home. Stitt hit into a fielder’s choice, before A.J Hall’s single scored Foraker and Garibay to lift the Grizzlies to a 4-0 advantage.

The Grizzlies went down in order in the second inning, but erupted in the third for 17 runs to put the game out of question.

Foraker was hit by a pitch and promptly stole second. He moved to third on a wild pitch, one of several by Delhi’s hurlers. Garibay’s single plated Foraker and Stitt reached first on an error. Hall delivered a sizzling double to score Garibay and Stitt. Nick Leard drew a free pass, and Stickles connected on a 2-bagger to score Hall and Leard. Ritter reached base safely and Miller drew a walk to load the bases.

Leonard cleared the deck with a towering grand slam over the rightfield fence. In his two previous strikeouts, Leonard was clearly swinging for the fence, and in his fourth trip to the plate the junior clean-up hitter connected.

Garibay and Stitt followed with back-to-back singles, and both scored on Hall’s second double of the game. One batter later, Foraker doubled and scored when Delhi’s rightfielder misplayed Garibay’s line drive.

Stickles was 2-for-3 on the day, scoring 3 runs and chalking up 3 RBIs. Ritter went 2-for-2, and Garibay was 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored and a pair of RBIs. Hall had the big afternoon, going 3-for-4 at the plate with a pair of doubles while plating 6 RBIs. Leonard’s grand slam was his only hit, but he notched 4 RBIs.

“We hit the ball pretty well,” said head coach Bruce Vegely, “but we’ve got a long way to go before we’re good instead of lucky.”

The Grizzlies are competing in the Hilmar Tournament this week, and they will resume SAL play at Le Grand next Tuesday before they host Waterford on Thursday at 3:45 p.m.