Junior Varsity Baseball vs Loomis Chaffee School

Score/Result:

On a day that was muggy and threatening thundershowers, emotions ran high after Taft defeated Loomis 3-2 in an extremely tight game that was won in extra innings on a DAVID SOHN two-out, walk off hit to right-center in the bottom of the 8^th inning to drive in two runs for the win! They say baseball is a game of inches, and today David Sohn’s hit allowed for Hunter Frantz to score from first forcing an exceptionally close play at the plate to win it by a scrape of a hand. Frantz, who nearly injured himself sliding into home, barely avoided the tag, and somehow managed to scrape the plate with his hand.

The inning began on a Dan Sheehan pop-up that was dropped by the shortstop that allowed for the first base runner. Matt Nash then came up and popped out to the catcher who made a very nice play barely avoiding a bad collision. With one out, Ben Sasani then came up and ripped a single advancing Sheehan to second. The very next batter, Hunter Frantz, ripped one to third that forced Sheehan, the lead runner, to run out of the baseline in an attempt to avoid the third baseman’s tag. With two outs, and men on first and second, David Sohn then stepped to the plate. Sohn, who is always cool, quiet and collected under pressure, won the game with one stroke of the bat scoring Sasani from second and and Frantz from first on a close play at the plate. After the game, Sohn got a head full of Gatorade, the game ball, and a hug from every player and coach. A job well done!

Doug Goldstone started the game on the mound and pitched a gem of a game holding Loomis to one run through six innings. Goldstone struck out 7 and only walked 3. Goldstone also had a double in the 1^st inning followed by a Dawson Jones single scoring Goldstone. This game initially was a pitcher’s dual with Loomis’ starter pitching a two hitter into the 7^th, and Goldstone only giving up four hits. After 6 innings of great baseball, Will Albright came in to relieve Goldstone in the top of the 7^th. Albright did a great job on the mound only giving up one run to make it 2-1 going into the bottom of the 8^th. Albright was also able to get himself out of a few crucial jams.

NOTE: RHINOS vs. PELICANS (archives) In the last three years, Loomis has won 5 out of the 5 times that the Rhinos and Pelicans have faced each other. In these last three years, Taft had been outscored 64-17 before today’s game. With heart, determination and good ole’ fashion grit, Taft finally has beaten Loomis! Only four Taft players experienced that cold and horrible 0-18 loss back in the spring of 2010. Matt Nash, David Sohn, Ben Sasani and Dan Sheehan. Thanks for your extreme loyalty to the team, and never giving up on the Taft JV baseball program! What progress we have made as a team. At this point in time, I would like to also recognize the rest of the upper-mids, Alex McLellan and Dylan Kuhns for their leadership and hard work. The JV program will miss you guys!

Last, but not least, I would like to thank Coach Duval for being the real veteran JV coach. He has spoken about character, leadership, and integrity. I’ve learned lots from coach Duval, and I am sure you will be able to take away what a great coach, educator and father he is. A true class act and a gentleman.