Sharks win on walk-off home run

St. Francis Central Coast Catholic High's Calvin Nakagawa (17) heads home as he is congratulated by coach Kenny Nakagawa after hitting the game-winning home run against Aragon High on Saturday at Bishop Ryan Field. (Glenn Cravens/Register-Pajaronian)

WATSONVILLE — There’s no spring break from late-inning drama.

Calvin Nakagawa hit a game-winning, two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh to give the St. Francis Central Coast Catholic High baseball team a 5-4 win over Aragon earlier today at Bishop Ryan Field.

Nakagawa took a 3-2 pitch to center field and circled the bases, smiling at times, as his teammates and Sharks fans celebrated the home team’s second consecutive win.

Aidan Mathews was on first when the home run was hit, the beneficiary of a pop-up that was dropped by the Aragon pitcher.

“We got a guy on for our big guy, and he clutches up,” said St. Francis coach Kenny Nakagawa. “We did a great job of coming back, and the great thing is we played seven innings today.”

The Sharks thought the game was wrapped up a little bit earlier than that.

With the score tied 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Digger Gugale smacked a single to center field. He was replaced by his brother, Mark Gugale, at first base

After Mark Gugale stole second base, Jonathan Carmona smacked a single to center field that brought home Gugale and gave St. Francis a 3-2 lead.

The Sharks took the narrow edge into the seventh. Aragon kept fighting, as it got a walk and a double.

Down to the team’s final strike, Aldo Severson hit a double to the left field wall that scored Conner Ching and Josh Ehrlich to take a 4-3 lead.

St. Francis took a 2-0 lead when Mathews and Nick Ciandro both came home.

The pitching made it stick, as Aragon was held without a hit through the first four innings.

The Dons tied it in the fifth and had the bases loaded but Carmona came in as the relief pitcher and pitched St. Francis out of the jam.

Going back to Wednesday’s game against Soquel and including the win against Marina, St. Francis pitched 9 1/3 consecutive innings of no-hit ball.

“They’re giving us a chance,” coach Nakagawa said. “The guys are starting to buy into the system and, overall, guys are doing a good job of competing.”

The win was St. Francis’ second in a row. It returns to action Tuesday against Anzar.



For the complete article see the 04-10-2012 issue.

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