By Special to the Town Crier

The Los Altos High varsity baseball team edged the alums 9-8 in the eighth annual Bob Baird Memorial Alumni Game, played earlier this month at Los Altos.

Varsity star Thomas Roux led off the bottom of the seventh with a long home run to tie the game 8 and the Eagles forced in the winning run later in the inning.

The series between the alumni and the varsity is now tied at four wins each.

The alumni team - consisting of Los Altos graduates from 1970 to 2000 - was led by starting pitcher Ken Grolle (class of ‘72), catcher Marty Nielsen (’70), shortstop Blaine Johnson (’98) and outfielder Bobby Luna (’86).

Nielsen had two hits and two RBIs, Johnson played outstanding defense and also drove in two runs and Luna (’86) had two hits.

The event also included a home run derby, which the alums won 2-1. Jim Rosa and Mike Stuart Higginbothom hit homers for the alumni and Roux slugged one for the varsity.

The game honors former Los Altos coach Bob Baird, who in 1988 died of Leukemia at the age of 46. Baird guided Los Altos to several league titles during his 24 years at the school.

Several of Baird’s family members were at the May 11 game, including Justin Rahn, 12, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Each year, a $750 scholarship given in Baird’s name is awarded to “The Most Deserving Senior.” Roux won this year’s scholarship.

Donations to the Bob Baird Scholarship Fund can be sent to Bill Dolby at 905 Maywood Court, Los Altos, 94024.