Legends Sweep in Wild Opening Day Doubleheader
Despite facing two early deficits, the Legends rallied in dramatic fashion to defeat the Watsonville Aggies and Alameda Anchors at the College of San Mateo, Wednesday afternoon. It took a handful of rallies against the Aggies and one nine run inning in the 5th to defeat the Anchors.
“This team just has a low resting heart rate,” said Legends head coach Nick Sanzeri about his team’s first three wins, all started by trailing in the first two innings. “When you trail… you either get down or get closer together and they choose to bond.” Legends founder and CEO David Klein, emphasized his focus on finding a coach who could build chemistry. Through the teams first week of playing together, chemistry seems to be the spark behind their 3-1 start.
Vs. Watsonville Aggies
It was an early four run deficit for the Legends, but it was also their first time at-bat. The Aggies, feeling confident about their five hit first inning, were quickly introduced to Santa Clara commit Will Anderson, who launched a 3-0 fastball over the 368 sign in right center field. The perks of a wooden bat league like the California Collegiate League, is that pure wooden bat echo sound after a homerun with 99 mph exit velocity.
Menlo Park kept chipping away at their 4-2 deficit through their scrappy and aggressive base running mentality. Constantly putting pressure on the Aggies defense and pitching.
What felt like a 10-run lead due to all the scoring threats, the Legends led by four entering the 9th. The Aggies had the Legends on their heels with the tying run at second and the go-ahead run on first. Caleb Henderson was tasked with getting the Legends out of hot water. Despite walking the first batter, Henderson struck out the following hitter for the first out. He followed by forcing a hard ground ball up the middle for a smooth game-ending double-play.
Thomas Egbert was awarded as the winning pitcher and Caleb Henderson earned the save, closing out the Legends 8-6 victory.
Vs. Alameda Anchors
A brief celebration after their comeback win, as the Legends had a quick turnaround before the Anchors took the field and game two of the doubleheader was on your way. Unlike the beginning of the Aggies game, game two was a rubber match between Legends Jace Villanueva and the Anchors Hugo Goosman.
Despite a strong outing from Villanueva, the Anchors were able to cross two runners in the third giving them the edge early. Villanueva’s afternoon ended soon after, but registered a strong 3.1 innings on the bump, striking out four Anchors and allowing just two runs. Dylan Trammell, came out of relief displaying his dominant potential throwing 3.2 innings of shut out ball, keeping the game within reach as the Legends bats stayed silent.
The Anchors were threatening again in the top of the 5th, before Blake Cowans caught an Anchor attempting to steal second. The laser throw, slap tag and animated out call would soon become the turning point of the game. Using every ounce of momentum, Quincy Via ripped an RBI double to right center getting themselves on the board. Anderson followed suit with another RBI double tying the game and ending Goosman’s day. The party didn’t stop there, as the Legends loaded the bases for shortstop James Bose who cleared house with a loud three-run triple.
After entering the 5th inning down 2-0, the Legends wrapped up their half of the inning plating nine runs. Designated hitter, Carter Bleeker, joined the fun a couple innings later with his own three-run triple increasing the Legends lead to 10.
Francisco Leija made his season debut in the 8th and closed out the 13-3 win in the 9th. Dylan Trammell earned the win after his scoreless outing in relief, his first of the season as the Legends move to 3-1.
