Legends make comeback against Crawdads

The Menlo Park Legends seem to be back on track doing what they do best—making comebacks.

After a shocking loss the night before, the Legends were able to redeem themselves the next day by dominating 8-5 against the Walnut Creek Crawdads, June 17.

“It was a gritty performance,” General Manager David Klein said. “We didn’t come out swinging out the gates but we figured out a way to put some hits out into the game.”

Although the Legends trailed for four shaky innings, they were able to even the score with Robert Henry (Brown) scoring off a double by Ryan Rosa (West Valley), who would come home on a two base error.

“The pitcher was kind of quick to the plate,” Rosa said. “Luckily he threw a lot of wild pitches so I was always on third and scoring.”

Rosa dominated on base going two for two and scoring off two passed balls and an error.

In the sixth, things were not looking bright for the Legends, leaving fans wondering whether the team would have it second consecutive loss when the Crawdads hit a three run home run, leaving Legends’ fans nervous.

The bats came alive in the eighth as the Legends answered back with five runs to take the lead for good. The offensive burst started when Henry scored his second run off an error by the catcher, followed by Rosa scoring another run on a passed ball.

Tobias Moreno (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical) was the hero of the game after pinch-hitting for Justin Gubser (Purdue). Coming off the bench cold, Moreno hit a single to let pinch runner Matt Dezort (Missouri State) score the third run of the inning.

“I was looking for a fast ball,” Moreno said. “I saw that that’s all [the pitcher] was throwing from the dugout so I was ready for it and took a good swing. “

With the Legends in the lead, Manny Menocal (Colorado State University-Pueblo) capped the eighth, scoring off a double by Kyle Zirbes (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical). When the slugging spree ended, the Legends were up three runs over the Crawdads. Closing pitcher Richard Peoples (Missouri Western State) finished with two punchouts to close the game for a Legends victory.

“We had a come from behind loss yesterday and a come from behind win today so that’s just really great to see,” Klein said. “I think it’s really good for the morale and we are just going to keep this thing going.”

Photos by Lani Finer