WATSONVILLE—Monte Vista Christian junior pitcher Jojo Keldsen earned some big-time bragging rights for the rest of the year against some of his childhood friends Wednesday afternoon.
The right-hander recorded 12 strikeouts for the Mustangs baseball team in its 3-1 win over Watsonville High in Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division play.
Keldsen, who gave up one run on just two hits, was playing against some of his former Little League companions. He said it was nerve racking at first but then it felt like old times once the first pitch was tossed.
“I thought they were going to hit me better but I got the best of them,” he said. “I’m glad we came out with the win.”
Mark Spohn, a senior, went 2-for-4 with a run scored for MVC, and junior teammate Cannon Silva batted 1-for-2 with an RBI.
Gavin Allen, a senior, batted 1-for-3 with a run scored for the Mustangs, who improved to 2-3 in league play.
MVC took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning. But the ‘Catz responded in the bottom half of the inning, cutting the deficit to one run.
Jack Brothers scored a run in the top of the fourth that extended the lead back to a pair of runs for the Mustangs.
Keldsen continued to blaze past the Wildcatz’s hitters with his curveball, keeping them scoreless in the final four frames en route to a victory.
“They didn’t know what to expect because I would go with a fastball and then curveball, they were off-balanced,” he said.
Keldsen said the win gives them a major boost of confidence, especially after coming off two-straight losses against Alisal High. He added that it also put them back on track to earn a postseason berth in the Central Coast Section playoffs.
“That’s where we’re headed,” he said.
The Wildcatz (10-3, 5-2) will have a rematch against the Mustangs (6-4-1, 2-3) on Saturday at 11am.
Softball
Trinity 26, Pajaro Valley 8: Junior pitcher Analilia Rivera recorded five strikeouts for the Grizzlies in Tuesday’s loss to the Warriors in PCAL Santa Lucia Division play.
Rivera gave up 15 hits and 14 walks in a game that ended in the fifth inning due to the mercy rule.
Junior right fielder Alejandra Lopez had an RBI in the fourth inning for the Grizzlies, and junior catcher Marlin Ruiz catcher hit a double in the third.
Pajaro Valley freshman shortstop Ariana Roman had an amazing catch behind second base in shallow center.
The Grizzlies (0-4, 0-3) play at Marina (1-5, 1-2) on Thursday at 4:30pm
Anzar 22, Pajaro Valley 21: Junior pitcher Analilia Rivera gave up nine hits and nine walks while striking out 10 batters for the Grizzlies in their loss to the Hawks on March 25.
Freshman shortstop Ariana Roman had two RBIs for Pajaro Valley, and junior first baseman Clara Garcia recorded a double.
Junior infielders Rubi Lopez and Valeria Munguia along with freshman center fielder Aidan McCrillis each had a base hit.
Boys tennis
Aptos 7, Carmel 0: The Mariners remain unbeaten after a non-league win against the Padres on Tuesday.
Koosha Safari, Bennett Biscotti, Aaron Buchanan and Heath Gegna all swept their singles matches for Aptos.
The No. 1 team of John McGowan and Jack Eldrege won their match.
Sean Spencer and Nick Hambright won their No. 2 doubles match, and Andrew Morrissey and Jack Taylor won their No. 3 doubles match.
Aptos (7-0, 6-0) will play at Santa Cruz High on April 12 at 4:30pm.
Boys volleyball
Watsonville 3, Pajaro Valley 0: Angel Casillas finished with nine aces for the Wildcatz in their three-set win (25-19, 25-19, 31-29) over the Grizzlies in PCAL Mission Division play Monday.
Francisco Garcia had two kills for Watsonville (3-3, 2-0), which will host Hill High (3-8) on Friday at 5pm.
Little League
Pajaro Valley Majors
Nationals 15, Giants 14: Tyler Brooks finished with a home run, a pair of base hits and five runs scored for the Nationals in their win on March 26.
Junior Valenzuela had a double, a triple and two RBIs for the Nationals (4-0), and fellow teammate Kenny Allen had one triple.
Nico Walter had an inside the park grand slam and three base hits with four RBIs and three runs scored for the Giants.
Angelo Chavez had a triple with two RBIs and four runs scored, and Jonathan Magana and Mauricio Estrada each had a pair of base hits for the Giants (1-3).
Twins 11, Rockies 3: Shane McCoy finished with a home run, a triple and three RBIs for the Twins in their win on March 25.
J.J. Martinez had two triples with four runs scored, Jacob Nielsen had a double and Freddie Guzman finished with a triple for the Twins, who still remains unbeaten at 4-0 this season.
Chris Sigala had a triple for the Rockies (1-3).
Rockies 5, Athletics 3: Eduardo Castaneda had a home run for the Rockies in their win March 23.
Sebastian Padilla and Anthony Fernandez each had a pair of base hits for the Athletics (0-4).
Twins 16, Athletics 5: J.J. Martinez finished with three RBIs and three runs scored for the Twins (3-0) in their win on March 21.
Shane McCoy had a double for the Twins, and fellow teammates Carlos Alvarez, Isaiah Espinoza and Espen Davis each had a pair of base hits.
Justin Curiel had a base hit and one run scored for the Athletics.
