By Patrick Dillon @PDillon_SGN
EXETER – The Monarchs came up one game short of a chance of defending their Small School title at the Visalia Tournament after a 6-4 loss to the El Dorado Golden Hawks on Wednesday.
“Unfortunately, it was a let down game,” Exeter head coach Kevin Kirkman said. “We were a little disappointed we didn’t make it back to Rawhide Stadium.”
While Exeter (15-8, 4-4) didn’t bring home the title for the second straight season their offense did come alive. Over the four games, they scored a combined 29 runs. It is the second highest amount Exeter has scored this season.
Such a high level of scoring could not have come at a better time for Exeter as they head back to Central Sequoia League play tonight. They travel north to play the Selma Bears (19-3, 8-1) at 7 p.m.
“We are going to have to play perfect baseball in order to get them,” Kirkman said. “They are in first place for a reason.”
The first time Exeter and Selma met it was a scoreless tie through eight innings. It ended with Selma winning 2-0 in nine innings.
Jaykob Acosta enters Exeter’s final four games with the highest batting average Kirkman has seen in some time. He is batting a .412 with 80 at bats this season. He went 7-13, with seven RBIs and scored six runs during the Visalia Tournament.
“Acosta is on fire right now,” Kirkman said.
Exeter’s ace will start on the mound for Exeter as well. Acosta only has a 3-4 record this season with two no decisions. His record is misleading as he has at a high level this season. Against the best CSL pitchers, he has posted a 1.16 ERA.
Exeter will need some help if they are to catch the likes of Selma or the Immanuel Eagles.
