COLUSA, CA (MPG) – The RedHawks improved their record to 10-0 on the season after sandwiching easy conference victories over Live Oak around a hard-fought non-conference win over Woodland Christian last week.
In Colusa’s first game with the Lions on Mar. 19, Sutter Moss had a big day going 2-for-4 with a triple, home run and four RBI, while Will McCoy was 2 for 2 and Julian Mendiola had an RBI double.
Bo Coronado and Seth Kalisuch combined for the win on the mound.
Facing Woodland Christian the following day in what proved to be its first test this season, the RedHawks turned to ace Luke Kalfsbeek to hold the Cardinals in check, which he did giving up just a single hit and fanning 12 in six innings of work.
Kalfsbeek, the University of Washington commit, has continued where he left off last year striking out 28 batters over 13 innings on the mound.
Yet as successful as he has been with his arm, the senior has also been productive with his bat, sporting a .519 average and against Woodland Christian accounted for Colusa’s first two runs when he laced a two RBI double in the fifth inning.
It was a performance that exemplified the way Kalfsbeek plays the game, as Coach Eric Lay explained.
“Luke is the ultimate competitor,” said Lay. “He just wants the ball or wants to be in the box when it matters the most.”
Although the RedHawks struggled against the Cardinals’ ace Jayden Badhesha, who yielded just a single hit to Peyton Humphrey during his four innings on the hill, Colusa added on two more late runs to put the game away.
Humphrey also turned in a gritty effort, finishing 2 for 3 and then closed out the final frame, getting out of a bases loaded jam to preserve the shutout and earn praise from Lay.
“Peyton is the epitome of what we preach every day,” the RedHawk head coach said. “Grind out at bats, run the bases hard and play the game the right way. He’s worked hard and he’s taking his game to a different level.”
Also picking up a pair of hits for Colusa was Kane Nall, who finished the day 2-for-3.
To round out the week, the RedHawks completed the season series with the Lions with an 11-1 win.
Moss, who feasted on Live Oak pitching, hit another home run as part of his 2-for-4, four RBI day, while Mendiola also finished 2-for-4 with a double and a pair of RBI.
Additionally, Mendiola threw five innings of one-hit ball, striking out eight in the process.
McCoy toed the rubber for the final two frames, holding Live Oak hitless and striking out three.
Colusa hosted its long-time Sacramento Valley League rival Winters on Tuesday this week, then hit the road to complete the series with the Warriors today.