Prep Roundup: Molina’s ninth-inning homer propels Atwater to victory

Derek Molina hit a two-run homer and Jaime Marquez pitched a complete game as the Atwater High School baseball team ended the season on a high note with a 3-1 victory in nine innings over Merced on Wednesday night at Merced High School.

The win comes a day after the Falcons (16-11, 8-7 Central California Conference) were eliminated from playoff contention after a 5-1 loss to Merced.

Molina hit a two-run shot to right-center field with no outs in the top of the ninth inning. Marquez scattered eight hits.

“It was really good,” Atwater coach Jarrod Pimentel said. “The boys could have just laid down their gloves, but they played hard and they played together, and we were fortunate enough to get the ‘W.’”

Pitman 11, Golden Valley 1 in Turlock – Coleton Horner went 4 for 4 and drove in two runs and Darren Finney added three hits and three runs as the Pride (22-5, 13-2 CCC) defeated Golden Valley. Tanner Browning doubled for the Cougars (0-15 CCC).

Turlock 4, Buhach Colony 1 in Atwater – Alex Pallios drove in three runs and Brandon Booz had three hits as the Bulldogs (17-9, 11-4 CCC) clinched second place in the CCC.

Ty Dacuyan went 2 for 3 with an RBI for Buhach Colony (12-15, 4-11).

Softball

Merced 10, Golden Valley 0 in Merced – Madilyn Nickles struck out 10 on her way to a one-hit shutout in a game stopped after five innings because of the 10-run mercy rule. Nickles also homered. Rheanne Lewis went 2 for 4 with a double and a home run for the Bears (20-6, 13-2 CCC).

Shyan Crutcher tripled for Golden Valley’s only hit.

Buhach Colony 7, Atwater 4 in Atwater – Jennifer Moreno provided the big blow with a two-run double during a four-run first inning for Buhach Colony (3-12 CCC). Hayley Lawrence went 2 for 3 and scored a run for the Falcons.

This story was originally published May 6, 2015 at 10:47 PM with the headline "Prep Roundup: Molina’s ninth-inning homer propels Atwater to victory."