Yuba tops Laney on diamond

Appeal-Democrat

Batting around in the second inning Saturday afternoon, the Yuba College baseball team turned back visiting Laney, 15-9, in a Bay Valley Conference contest at Gary Engleken Field.

"It could have been a lot worse," 49ers coach Tim Gloyd said, noting twice Yuba had the bases loaded when the Laney center fielder made a couple of unbelievable plays to rob the 49ers of well-hit balls.

With the win, Yuba moved above .500 in the BVC (13-12). Overall, the 49ers are 18-21.

"We have to win out to finish above .500," Gloyd said. The final four-game stretch starts Monday with a home contest at 2:30 p.m. against Butte.

Yuba used an eight-run second inning to vault into an 11-4 lead. Javier Solis, Adrian Perez, Daniel Graning and Travis Mraz opened the second with four straight singles. Graning's drove in one run and Mraz plated two.

Mraz finished 3-for-3 with four runs scored, a double and two RBIs.

He also played great defense, Gloyd added. Mraz started in center field and moved to left in the eighth.

Nick Gauldin and Ryan Williams both went 2-for-5. Gauldin doubled and Williams had a double and two RBIs.

Kyle Mills opened on the mound for Yuba and three relievers followed. Mike Weller picked up the win and Gauldin earned the save with a strong three-inning effort.

"This was only Nick's third outing," Gloyd said, noting Gauldin is just coming back from a separated shoulder.

Perez had a strong game defensively at shortstop, helping the 49ers turn four double plays as a team.