Alemany Rings Up an Early Six and Holds Off Crespi Late, 6-5

Alemany High scored all of its runs in a lengthy second inning, but the Indians had to hold on for a 6-5 victory over Crespi in a Mission League baseball opener Wednesday at Valley College.

Trailing by six runs after 1 1/2 innings, the defending league champion Celts chipped away until they twice had the potential tying run on base in the final inning before failing to come up with the clutch hit.

“They’re a much improved team and they’re tough,” Crespi Coach Scott Muckey said. “I’m proud that we held them right there. That was good for us. I’ll be glad if we play this tough all the time.”

Alemany (6-1) started innocently enough when Rob Glenn grounded a single to center field to open the second. The junior catcher scored Alemany’s first run on a fielder’s choice.

Left fielder Robbie Rehfeld hit a two-run single, second baseman Doug Segraves doubled home the fourth run and Monie Jensen capped the inning with a two-out, two-run double to right.

“We did enough to get a victory but I’m not going to say we played real well,” Alemany Coach Jim Ozella said. “It was nice, though, to get ahead of them and control the game the way we want to control it.”

Left fielder Brad Farlow singled and scored Crespi’s first run on a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the second. The Celts (4-1-1) closed the gap with two runs in the third and two more in the sixth.

Crespi posed a threat in the seventh when Aaron Sabo led off with a single to left, but he was caught stealing second. Pinch-hitter Brett Niles walked, but third baseman Gus Jordt and first baseman Brad Wright flied out to end the game.

Farlow went three for three and Gonzalez went two for three with an RBI triple and a double.