Area's semipro baseball team remains undefeated in league
By Pete Borello, Town Crier Staff Writer
 photos by Joe Hu/Town Crier Palo Alto Oaks’ catcher Brian Beres, a Homestead High graduate, tags out a South Bay Diamondbacks runner at home plate in a recent game. The Oaks are off to a 15-2 start this season. |
Undefeated in league and 15-2 overall, the Palo Alto Oaks are looking as good - if not better - than last summer when the team reached the Western Regional Tournament.
The semipro team of college baseball players, including graduates of St. Francis and Homestead highs, looks to be in good position to defend its championship of the San Jose Western Baseball Association Stan Musial League. The Oaks are tied for first with Fontenetti’s, a team it won’t meet any earlier than the playoffs.
“We’re on a roll right now - we’re doing well,” Oaks manager Pete Colombo said after his team swept a doubleheader against the visiting East Bay Giants Sunday at Baylands Athletic Center.
The Oaks beat the Giants 9-5 and 7-0 behind a combination of solid pitching and timely hitting.
Starter Matt Campbell won the first game, improving to 5-0. He surrendered just one run over seven innings.
“He’s very solid,” Colombo said of Campbell, Sacramento State’s No. 1 pitcher. “He keeps everybody off balance.”
Campbell was helped by an offense that produced 11 hits. The hits came from Gabe Duran (2 for 3, home run, double, two RBIs), Durrell Williams (3-5, two doubles), Mike Taylor (3-5, double, RBI) and Sean Scott (3-3, triple, double, RBI).
Scott was at it again in the second game, going 2 for 4 with two runs scored. Nathan Ford added a 2-for-3 effort that included a double and two runs.
New addition Victor Schramm made the most of his first start, pitching five scoreless innings.
“He’s not a power pitcher, but he has a good slider and just hits his spots,” Colombo said.
The Oaks play an exhibition game at 5:30 p.m. today at De Anza College against the South Bay Diamondbacks. Palo Alto returns to league action at 11:30 a.m. Sunday with a doubleheader against Seaside at Baylands.
