Wilcox’s bid for CCS Division II baseball championship denied by Hollister

SAN JOSE All of the momentum from the late-season hot streak that propelled Wilcox to the Central Coast Section playoffs came to a full stop Saturday against Hollister in the Division II championship contest Hollister s Trent Roche a -foot- -pound right-hander committed to Cal threw a two-hit shutout as the Haybalers walked off with the CCS title - at Excite Ballpark Wilcox - went into Saturday s contest having won of its last But Roche set the side down in order in six of the seven innings He walked one and struck out seven We haven t seen a lot of velo this year Wilcox coach Matthew Huth announced We tried to prepare for it as much as practicable The home plate umpire was calling the high strike and you can t defend against the high strike against a guy throwing Roche was perfect through the first three innings setting down nine in a row and striking out six Wilcox starter RJ Argel held the Haybalers scoreless the first two innings before they broke through in the third scoring three runs on four hits and a walk Cleanup batter Jake Esparza got the big knock with a two-run double Then Wilcox was presented with what turned out to be its one offensive opportunity in the top of the fourth Jake Prettol and Diego Prado singled and Mateo Escobedo walked to load the bases with two out Jetson Preston then smoked a line drive but it went right at Hollister left fielder Daniel Martinez for the third out Roche proceeded to retire the side in order the final three innings setting off the Hollister celebration Related Articles Alhambra captures NCS D-III softball title with Hailey Powers walk-off home run Willow Glen loses first match of the year as St Francis wins CCS Open Division softball championship in extras Back on top De La Salle routs College Park in NCS D title championship to capture th section title CCS softball roundup The King s Academy Hillsdale Woodside win titles Livermore softball group seeks NorCal tourney bid in honor of late friend cheerleader Wilcox players were disappointed in the outcome but cognizant of what the organization accomplished by advancing to the CCS final We put Wilcox on the map again announced Argel who at - certainly provided a contrast to Roche but nevertheless went the distance for the Chargers We re all family we re all brothers Our motto this year was toughness over talent I think this band was really tough and it established on the field