Melo, Aviators flying high: Atwater now 7-0 since infielder joined team

LIVINGSTON -- Kori Melo prides himself on being an energy guy.

The former Merced College and current Newman University star's work ethic and hustle were the stuff of legend with the Blue Devils.

So much so that the entire 2010 MC infield adopted his pre-pitch trot in the field.

After a slow start out of the gate this summer, Atwater Aviators coach Rollo Adams thought Melo's energy might provide a spark the team had been lacking the first few weeks of the season.

So far, so good.

The Aviators are undefeated since Melo joined the team and took over the leadoff spot.

He turned in another stellar performance with two hits, a walk and three runs scored in the first three innings on Tuesday night as the Aviators cruised to a 16-6 victory over the Monterey Baysox at Livingston's Alvernaz Field.

"It's been a pretty smooth transition into the team I think," said Melo. "I've gotten to come home basically. I grew up playing at Memorial, so that's been cool.

"And I've grown up playing with a lot of these guys, so that's been fun."

The victory improved the Aviators to 11-13 on the season and was their eighth win in a row.

Adams doesn't think it's a coincidence the team's gone on a run since Melo joined it.

"He's done a great job offensively, but he's a heck of a defensive player also," Adams said. "Kori makes the pitchers a little more comfortable on the mound and we've gotten some better all-around performances.

"It's not just him. A lot of the guys we've gone out and added have made us a better team. We had a few holes and we went out and filled them."

The Atwater offense seemed to like playing at Alvernez Field as it pounded out 16 runs on 16 hits.

Kyle Espinola led the team with three hits, while Max Stepan drove in four. Ryan Laing added a home run and three RBI.

The Atwater pitching staff wasn't as sharp.

Monterey didn't record a hit until the seventh inning, but still managed to plate six runs on nine walks, a hit batsman and a slew of wild pitches.

"We had some guys that were going out and working on some specific things, so we were a little more understanding than we'd normally be," Adams said.

Joe Medeiros scored on a wild pitch in the seventh to make it 16-6 and end the game on the 10-run mercy rule.

At Alvernaz Field (Livingston)

Baysox 020 040 0 -- 6 2 2

Aviators 543 030 1 -- 16 16 1

Travis Elder, Kevin Sahlberg (4) and Matt Blackmon. Paul Cusick, Brad Pascoe (4), Kevin Kinder (5) and Max Stepan, Michael Wapnick (5). WP -- Pascoe. LP -- Elder.

BAYSOX -- Joe Avilia 2 R.

AVIATORS -- Kori Melo 2-2 (3 R, 2B, RBI), Hunter Adrian 2-5 (2B, 2 RBI), Stepan 2B (4 RBI), Ryan Laing 2-4 (2B, HR, 3 RBI), Kyle Espinola 3-5 (2 RBI), Doug Bloom 2B.

Records: Aviators 11-13.