Thursday, Apr. 10, 2008

Chowchilla baseball has high hopes, stakes in upcoming game

By JAMES BURNS
jburns@mercedsun-star.com

CHOWCHILLA — When Kirk Delmas took over the Chowchilla baseball program, he was determined to build a winner.

Three years later, Delmas has accomplished nearly all of his goals except for one: beating Washington Union.

Delmas and Chowchilla look to put an end to the losing streak today when they host Washington Union in a game laced with intrigue.

First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

Some of the subplots for today’s pivotal North Sequoia League showdown:

- Chowchilla enters the game as the Central Section’s top-ranked Division IV club, while WU is ranked No. 1 at Division III. Both carry long winning streaks, as well. Washington Union has won 10 straight, while Chowchilla has won four in a row.

- Washington Union (6-0 NSL, 19-1) holds a one-game lead on Chowchilla in the NSL standings. Chowchilla (5-1, 16-4) hasn’t won a league title since 2003.

- The game will pit two of the top talents in the Central Section against one another: pitchers Andrew Rich and Michael York (3-0, 0.91 ERA).

“This is huge,” Delmas said. “We haven’t beaten them in three years. If we want to win league, which we do, we have to win this game.

“This is what you want. You want to go up against the best player on the best team for a championship. That’s all you can ask for.

“Washington Union is a good team. Andrew Rich is a great player. It’s going to be a good ball game.”

Their previous two meetings haven’t disappointed.

Washington Union has won both by a combined score of 3-1, including a 2-1 victory against York on opening day.

The St. Mary’s-commit allowed one run on three hits and struck out eight, but failed to get the type of run production that has become Chowchilla’s staple this season.

The red machine have averaged 8.7 runs per contest and have been held to one run or fewer just four times.

The last was a 1-0 loss at Washington Union to start NSL play on March 26.

Rich earned the victory that afternoon, striking out three while holding Chowchilla to four hits. “He is exceptional,” Delmas said. “He shut us out, and when you’ve done that, you know you’ve done your job.”

But...

“We’re confident in our abilities. We can play defense, hit the ball a little bit and catch,” Delmas added. “If we do those things, there’s no reason why we can’t beat them.

“Of course, there is some history. We haven’t beaten them in three years. But we’re confident we can.”

James Burns is a Sun-Star sports reporter. He can be reached at 385-2417 or via e-mail at jburns@mercedsun-star.com.