62°F
weather icon Mostly Clear

Bonanza outslugs Spring Valley after losing big lead

The helpful winds at Bonanza were not enough to help Spring Valley overcome a six-run deficit Saturday.

Bonanza gave up a six-run lead in the sixth inning but rallied in the bottom half of the inning to outslug Spring Valley 12-10.

The Bengals (16-10, 8-7 Southwest League) jumped to a 6-0 lead after a five-run second inning, and senior starter Julio Seperich shut down the Grizzlies early.

Four home runs for the Bengals, including two from senior Jay DeSoto, gave them their big lead.

“It’s normally a tough place to hit, but for whatever reason, the north breeze that was blowing out today made the ball fly a little bit,” Bonanza coach Mike O’Rourke said.

Seperich allowed three runs in the fourth and was relieved with no outs by junior Davis Dunkley, who gave up a run to make the score 10-4, then got out of the jam, stranding two runners.

Spring Valley (22-4, 12-3) made its move in the sixth against DeSoto, scoring six times to tie the game 10-10. Seniors Bryce Bullock and Humberto Maldonado homered for the Grizzlies in the inning.

“Jay DeSoto is one of the most competitive kids I’ve ever been around and ever coached, and it felt right to go to him,” O’Rourke said. “They hit the ball off him, but he kept his composure and didn’t give up the lead and kept us in it. I don’t doubt the kid at all.”

The Bengals regained the lead in the bottom half with an RBI triple from senior Torren Brozovich, who went 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs, and another run for the final score.

Spring Valley put two runners on in the seventh, but DeSoto escaped the jam, securing the victory.

“They very easily could have tucked their tails between their legs after giving up six there,” O’Rourke said. “But it was good to see that we didn’t have to calm them down after that inning. They kept their heads on their shoulders.”

Contact reporter Bill Slane at bslane@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4559. Follow @bill_slane on Twitter.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST