Baseball falls 2-11 to Menlo-Atherton

On May 10, the Aragon baseball team (10-15 overall, 4-9 Peninsula Athletic League) was defeated by Menlo-Atherton (17-7 overall, 11-1 PAL) 2-11.

Although Menlo-Atherton is currently first in the league, Aragon was able to hold down the opponent and score a run with 1-0 at the bottom of the first inning. However, Menlo-Atherton started to catch up later in the second inning after a hit across the center field while Aragon struggled to score.

“Most of their runs were later in the game,” said head coach Don Hahn. “We left the bases loaded the first three innings so that really did turn the game around.”

Starting off with a walk, sophomore third baseman Jordan Kiaaina stole second base and later was able to score on the bottom of the second inning, putting Aragon close with a score of 2-4.

“I think it was winnable, [but] after the fourth inning, the team morale was down”

Aragon played solid defense behind junior pitcher Eric Laguna not letting Menlo-Atherton score a single run in the third inning. However, he later switched with another pitcher who took his place.

“Each player has … a pitch count when they get close to what we think is their limit,” Hahn said. “And then we can see when they’re starting to get tired a little bit. Eric did a fantastic job for the first three innings and then he started getting a little bit tired.”

The bottom of the third inning started with a dead ball on the leg of senior infielder Ronin Lee. Later in the inning, even though Aragon was putting the ball in play, they couldn’t string up consecutive hits to score a run, keeping the score 2-4.

At the top of the fourth inning, things started to lean toward Menlo-Atherton. To top it off, a pair of singles and a grand slam was hit by Menlo-Atherton players.

“It was a hard loss,” Lee said. “I think it was winnable, [but] after the fourth inning, the team morale was down. If we had more timely hitting and had less runners stranded on the base, I think it would have been closer.”

Although the score may not have shown it, some plays were executed well, with multiple scenes of loaded bases. In preparation for a game against a strong team such as Menlo Atherton, the team needed to focus on avoiding strike outs.

“We’re going to start focusing on putting the ball in play more so we don’t strike out as much,” Hahn said. “If you strike out, you don’t ever test the other team’s defense.”

Reflecting upon the game afterwards, the team felt they were able to accomplish some of their goals.

“We had a game plan of trying to make their pitcher throw a few pitches, so our offensive game plan actually worked pretty good when the score was close,” Hahn said. “Once the game kind of got away, we had to change but the game plan going in was to make their pitcher throw.”

As important as defense is, Aragon aimed to strengthen its offense to be able to withstand Menlo-Atherton’s pitching prior to the game.

“We started off the year working a lot on defense,” Hahn said. “And now, because we’re not hitting well, I think we’re hitting every day. That’s really been the focal point over the last month, but the results are not there yet.”

“So, I can see how far and how much more work I need to put in to be able to get on those certain levels that those guys who are committed at”

Additionally, players like Kiaaina see these games as an opportunity to improve their game.

“The team has a lot of very good players that I can just compare myself to the next season,” Kiaaina said. “A lot of them are juniors and I will be playing the same guys next season. So, I can see how far and how much more work I need to put in to be able to get on those certain levels that those guys who are committed at.”

As the juniors become senior players next season, the team looks forward to improving their record.

*Records as of May 16