Runs were plentiful for Rancho Cotate High’s baseball team as the Cougars outslugged the Piner Prospectors 8-0 behind the hitting of Jeff Bart and Eric Mossi.

Bart and Mossi had two hits apiece and were in the middle of the action as the Cougars scored at least one run in five of their six at bats and collected 12 total hits.

The Cougars also got an outstanding pitching performance from pitchers Anthony Sosa and Jimmy Adams. 

Sosa started the game and went four innings, giving up only two hits and no runs, while throwing less than 40 pitches. As good as Sosa pitched, Adams was even better as he threw three perfect innings.

“Our pitchers only gave up two hits and didn’t allow a single walk,” said pitching coach Chris Martini.  “Staying ahead in the count was the key for Sosa, which he did, and Adams didn’t give up a single hit.  Both had solid bullpens on Friday so we knew they were going to pitch well.”

Tanner Goldman got the first inning started for the Cougars with a single to right field and stole second base.  Goldman advanced to third base on a fly out to center field before an RBI single from Ryan Haug scored the first run of the game.
The Cougars added one run in the second inning on an error by the Prospectors – scoring Trevor Dodele from second base – before Rancho Cotate’s bats came alive in the third inning.

After Kevin Castillo grounded out to shortstop to start the inning, Haug walked and advanced to third on a double by Ryan Walsh before scoring on a wild pitch.

The wild pitch allowed Walsh to advance to third and score a few pitches later on a single by Bart.  After stealing second base, Bart advanced to third on an error by the Prospectors, setting up a trick play for the Cougars.

Dodele broke for second base as the pitch was delivered and when the throw by the catcher went through to second base, Bart made a mad dash for home, scoring easily and giving the Cougars a 5-0 lead.

The following batter, Mossi, singled home Dodele, bringing the score to 6-0.

“Overall, we performed very well,” said Cougars coach John Morrow.  “I was disappointed with our three errors, but we hit well to all fields and collected 12 hits, so you have to be happy with that.”

With the win, the Cougars are now 5-7 on the season and play Cardinal Newman Friday, April 13, at 4 p.m. in Rohnert Park.