Sharks 10, Santa Clara 1

The Sharks completed a three-game sweep of the Santa Clara Saints yesterday and, in the process, clinched a spot in the CIF playoffs for the third consecutive year. Brooks Fitch pitched five strong innings to pick up his fifth win of the season and Malibu pounded out thirteen hits en route to a 10-1 win in Oxnard.

The Sharks discuss their prom dates while waiting for the umpires to show up. Later, during the game, the subject of prom dates came up again as two unidentified Santa Clara fans begged Brooks Fitch to take them to the prom.

The Saints threatened to score first but ran themselves out of the inning in the top of the third. With one out, Santa Clara put runners on the corners as a result of two Malibu errors. On the third to first pickoff play--the play that “never works”--Fitch caught the runner breaking from first. In the ensuing rundown, Santa Clara's Anthony Gonzalez broke from third. Fitch’s throw to Gwyn at the plate was high, but Gwyn made a leaping catch and came down in time to apply the tag to the sliding runner. Fitch then struck out Chris Hernandez to end the inning.

In the top of the fourth inning, Michael Gwyn led off with a single off the end of the bat to short right field. After he had advanced to second on a wild pitch, Geoff Roth singled sharply to center moving Gwyn to third. Colbie Bell followed with a walk to load the bases and set the stage for a series of run-producing singles.

Brett Weinstock singled to left to score Gwyn. Phil Johnson followed with another single to left that plated Roth and Bell. After Daniel Williams flied out to left, Jamie Van Soelen singled to load the bases again. Jason Puklus then capped the four-run inning with a walk that drove in Weinstock with the fourth run of the inning.

Santa Clara scored its only run in the bottom of the fourth. Eric Navarro led off with an infield single but was doubled off when the next batter, A.J. Laboriante, hit a soft line drive to Brett Weinstock at second base. First baseman Brian Yunker then doubled to the fence in left center, the second of his three hits on the day. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, Yunker scored when Mike Lugo singled to right. Fitch then struck out designated hitter Phil Smith to end the inning.

The Sharks followed with another big inning in the top of the fifth. Roth started the inning with a walk. Bell bunted him over to second and Weinstock’s second hit of the day moved him to third. After Weinstock stole second, Johnson picked up two more RBIs with a single to right. Williams grounded into a fielder’s choice that erased Johnson at second and then stole second base. Van Soelen and Puklus both walked to load the bases. With a full count, Brooks Fitch then hit a line drive that caromed off the Santa Clara third baseman for a bases-clearing double to make the score 9-1.

In the top of the sixth, Malibu broke into double digits for the eleventh time in twenty games. With two outs, Brett Weinstock reached base on an infield hit. Johnson followed with a single to right and Weinstock scored when the ball got past the Santa Clara right fielder.

Jason Puklus closed for the Sharks, giving up just one infield hit while striking out three in two innings of work.

Brett Weinstock and Phil Johnson, hitting in the second spot in the lineup for the first time this season, had three hits apiece. Geoff Roth was 2-for-3 with a walk. Daniel Williams, Jamie Van Soelen, Brooks Fitch, Michael Gwyn, and Jared Weinstock had the Sharks' other hits.