GRANTS PASS – The I-5 team started their Reno road trip off in high gear here Monday night when Kolby Sharp launched a solo home run in the top of the seventh inning to give I-5 Toyota its final advantage of 9-8 over the hometown Nuggets.
The non-league game was a pitstop for the local nine as they make their way to Reno to play at the University of Nevada. I-5 fell behind early when Grants Pass posted a run in the first and three more runs in the second inning, but then rebounded with a six spot of their own in the top of the third inning.
“The guy who got us going was Kyle Trout there in the third. He kind of cracked the egg. It got us on the board and kind of got us going,” said I-5 coach Jake LeDuc.
That lead did not hold though as I-5 surrendered two more runs in the bottom of the third and then another two runs in the sixth inning.
Dylan Stakelin started on the mound for I-5 and was relieved by Jackson Hull. Camden Ryan entered in the fifth inning and wound up responsible for the game save after Sharp’s go-ahead home run in top of the seventh frame.
LeDuc had high praise for the job Ryan did out of the bullpen, noting that he only allowed the first batter he faced to reach base before turning stingy on the mound.
“All three of our pitchers competed but he really came in and kind of slammed the door today,” said LeDuc.
In addition to his clutch home run, Sharp walked twice and scored two runs in the game. Daniel Fagerness added two hits including a three run triple and Gabe O’Neil contributed two hits and two RBIs.
I-5 Toyota (4-4) will play in the Josh Anderson Memorial Tournament at the University of Nevada-Reno on Tuesday versus the Danville Hoots.
