Bulldogs realize potential

It appears his tirade had an effect. Tuesday, San Mateo crushed an always-solid Palo Alto squad, 14-1 in a game that was called after five innings because of the 10-run rule.

"We have some talent and it's been disappointing to see how we've played, especially pitching and defense," Sargent said.

The Bulldogs got both - along with an electric offense - in the win over Palo Alto. San Mateo pitcher Jason Whitney gave up one run while scattering four hits, left fielder Donny Lavezzo made a sliding catch in the first inning, second baseman Craig Sargent made a spectacular bare handed grab and throw to get the runner at first and shortstop Pierson Jeremiah ranged far to his left to rob a Palo Alto batter of a single.

"I'm a catcher at heart. The game to me is catching and defense," Bob Sargent said. "I'm elated with what I saw (Tuesday)."

And then there was the offense. San Mateo (5-1 District 26, 6-3 overall) scored 14 runs on nine hits and also capitalized on 10 walks issued by three Palo Alto batters. Of the nine hits, seven were for extra bases - four doubles, a triple and two three-run homers.

"I expected a lot better competition," said Brian Marblestone, who drove in five runs with a two-run double and three-run homer. "Maybe today wasn't day. We capitalized on their mistakes."

Said Sargent: "I do expect us to hit the ball with authority."

The Bulldogs scored in every inning. The big inning, however, was an eight-run third that turned a 5-1 advantage into a 13-1 laugher. San Mateo sent 13 batters to the plate and hit for the cycle as a team - Jeremiah singled, Chris Vargas, who hit a three-run bomb in the first inning, doubled in the third, Keith Green had a three-run triple and Marblestone capped the inning with his dinger.

In all, four different players had multiple RBI games. Besides Marblestone's five RBIs, Green drove in four, Vargas had three and Craig Sargent added a pair. Sargent's two-run double in the third might have been the prettiest of the game. With runners on second and third and facing an 0-1 pitch, Sargent, a right-handed batter, reached out and poked a ball just inside the first-base bag and down the right-field line to drive in Vargas and Chris Schindler.

"[The win] was pretty big," Marblestone said. "We haven't played to our potential."

Despite the break-out game, Bob Sargent hopes the Bulldogs build on their performance.

"This better be the beginning," Sargent said.