Legends sweep three-game series against PUF Caps

The “comeback kids” is the best way to describe the Menlo Park Legends this past weekend.

After splitting the last three series, the Legends have fine-tuned their hitting after sweeping the Pacific Union Financial Capitalists in a three-game series, June 12 to 14.

Every game was the same pattern. The Legends would be down runs before having an offensive burst to clutch the game with a one to two-run deficit.

Traveling to the PUF Caps home field at Palo Alto High School for game 1, the Legends came back to win 9-7 against their rivals from the south.

With the game tied in the eight, Kyle Zirbes scored for the second time off a single by Robert Henry, putting the Legends in lead for good.

Following a fielder’s choice that forced Sam Cohen out at home, Henry was able to score on an error after the catcher threw the ball back to the mound, thinking that the inning was over.

“I thought we responded well,” General Manager David Klein said. “We were able to shut the door late in the game and pick up some runs to finish the ball game.”

Continuing the hot streak, the Legends rallied back the next day to win 7-6.

The game started on a different note as both pitchers dueled it out for four innings, keeping the scoreboard at 0 for both teams.

“I don’t think we have seen a lefty throw like that,” Klein contributes to the Legends’ slow start at hitting.

Tobias Moreno was the hero of the game, just recently joining the Legends ten games into the season. His diving catch to close the third inning was the defensive highlight of the game.

“Honestly I thought it was going to get by me,” Moreno said. “Then I saw it stay up in the air long enough for me to lay on it and get it.”

The pace began to pick up in the fifth after the PUF Caps scored two runs. Jonah Davis scored on an error by Legends’ catcher Sam Cohen, allowing Lucas Wakamatsu to advance to third before scoring the second run on a single.

In the sixth, the Legends bats came alive after the PUF Caps replaced their starting pitcher with right-hander, Aaron Shortridge.

“That really was the difference that we were able to string a few good at bats together in that big inning,” Klein said.

Dylan Cook started the slugging spree with a long double, advancing Moreno to third before coming home on a single by Tommy Bell.

After Braden Frankfort scored the fifth run of the night on an error, the Legends were able to tack on another three runs to end the game.

“I am just satisfied that we ere able to come back and shut the door even when the head guy is going in the late innings,” Klein said.

The Legends capitalized in game three, dominating 5-2 against the PUF Caps to complete the series sweep.

With the score tied in the third, the offense was sparked with Cody Strong scoring on a close play at the plate.

“[The ball] got over his head and I knew that I had to score, “ Strong said. “I just got around his tag.”

The Legends added two more runs in the fourth, starting with Kyle Zirbes scoring off a single by Moreno, who then scored on a single by Strong. The team finished the inning with a 3 run lead at 5-2.

Starting pitcher Troy Nelson got the win after throwing five solid innings, giving up only two runs in the first. Nelson had good command of the strike zone to finish with four scoreless innings that kept PUF Cap batters on their heels.

“I’m just really proud of how the guys come out and played nine innings,” David Klein said. “ It just shows what kind of character we have; I think we have a bunch of fighters.”

Photos by Lani Finer