The varsity baseball team defeated Branson 8-3 on Tuesday after a series of neck-and-neck innings and a competitive push to take the lead. The Giants were buoyed by sophomore Josh Cohen’s strong pitching in the first five innings, though the rest of the team consistently successfully battled to get on base as well.
With hopes to make an aggressive lead the Giants headed into the bottom of the sixth inning after the Bulls tied the game 3-3 in the fifth inning.
After senior Garrett Aubert walked, he was replaced by pinch runner junior Trevor Foehr, Zeisler hit a single. Foehr then scored following an error from the Branson catcher to give the Giants a one-run lead of 4-3. Senior Erik Doctor then stepped up to the plate and hit a double that sent Zeisler home to make the score 5-3.
“Baseball is all about momentum. Our team was able to find ways to get on base and get the momentum we needed to break the game open,” Doctor said. “It was truly a team effort and a bonding moment for us as we head into the playoffs.”
Building on his teammates success, senior Zach Cohen hit a single that scored Doctor to bring the Giants to a three-run lead. Kopstein followed up with a single and Zach Cohen scored on an error. Senior Nick Gillies then singled to left field as Kopstein ran home to finish the inning with an 8-3 lead.
Less eventful was the beginning of the game, when Redwood scored the first two runs in the bottom of the third inning after both juniors Henry Zeisler and Aubrey Sine hit singles and Senior Zach Cohen hit Zeisler home. Senior Zack Kopstein then followed up with a single to send Sine home, and in the in the bottom fourth, Josh Cohen went home too after Zeisler hit him in.
The Giants will play their next game on Friday against Marin Catholic at home.
