NEWMAN 8, CARRILLO 3: Cardinals' clutch hitting, defense key comeback: Victory keeps Newman on top of NBL as missed chances frustrate Pumas

Cardinal Newman gained an early advantage in North Bay League baseball after a comeback win over Maria Carrillo on Wednesday to hand the Pumas their first defeat.

Steady pitching kept Cardinal Newman close and clutch hitting -- four runs with two outs in the decisive inning -- carried the Cardinals to the 8-3 win.

"We feel confident in our ability. This is just another big win," said winning pitcher Connor Williams.

Missed opportunities, including a pair of runners picked off base, frustrated a strong-hitting Maria Carrillo squad. The Pumas need a short memory following their first league loss.

"I felt we played really well. But we didn't shut the door on them," said second baseman Derek Schmidt, who was in the middle of Maria Carrillo rallies.

Cardinal Newman and Maria Carrillo figure to battle with Rancho Cotate for the league crown and positioning for the North Coast Section playoffs.

Both the Cardinals and Pumas sent their top pitchers to the mound Wednesday at Cardinal Newman.

While the Pumas scored first, Williams limited the damage by picking off a pair of runners and getting a strikeout to end the visitor's half of the second inning.

A quick pivot and strong throws help the right hander keep opposing base runners largely in check.

Facing a Maria Carrillo team that likes to steal, Williams did well to limit the Pumas' attack.

"I was trying to keep them off balance. With the pickoffs they're going to be more wary," Williams said.

Showing the Pumas speed, outfielder Christopher Collett came around from second base on an infield error, beating the throw home to give Maria Carrillo a two-run lead in the third inning.

The lead stood through four innings. Maria Carrillo pitcher Jake Scheiner limited Cardinal Newman to three hits, striking out four at that point.

Another three-hit inning yielded but one more run for Maria Carrillo, in the fifth. Both teams played the percentages to gain an advantage.

Mario Smaldino bunted to advance a pair of Pumas. The Cardinals answered with an intentional walk. Following a force out at home, Maria Carrillo scored on a single from Vijay Patel, but left fielder Dylan Eterovich threw out a Pumas' runner attempting to score from second.

Gaining momentum from the strong defensive effort, Newman scored five in the fifth.

The shortest hit of the day -- a bunt single by catcher Bryan Neuerberg -- was big in getting Cardinal Newman going. A passed ball moved Cardinals runners to second and third, and a groundout put a run on the board.

A pair of two-out hits brought home four more Cardinals in the inning. Designated hitter Mark Peterson chopped a single up the middle off the outstretched glove of shortstop Massimo Smaldino.

Third baseman Ridge Etchell followed a walk with a deep double to left field for the go-ahead runs. Two quick innings of work by Cardinals pitcher James Proctor secured the win, as Maria Carrillo couldn't muster a base runner.

"We can't go undefeated in league. We just have to move on," said Schmidt of the Pumas.

Cardinal Newman fared well even with a starting pitcher not at his best. "I didn't feel comfortable the entire game," Williams said. "I had a pretty solid defense behind me."