The Saint Lawrence Celtics won their final, regular season game 18-2 in five innings over their conference opponent the North Valley Baptist Bulldogs on May 16 at Washington Park.
It was senior day for the Celtics. Head coach Kevin Hashimoto, who coached the Celtics to a division leading 13-1 record (15-4 overall), was proud of his team. “I just wish I had them for longer,” said Hashimoto. “This is my first year having them. They’re great kids and great leaders on this team and we are going to miss them a lot, but having them for one year is better than having them for no years.”
Senior pitcher Brandon Cole took the field for the Celtics on the warm Friday night, which would be the last time he and his fellow seniors Jacob Revallier, Aaron Johnson, and Sebastian Gonzalez would do so in a regular season game. Cole began the game a bit shaky, walking the first batter who would eventually score on an infield hit. When it was time for the Celtics’ offense to get to work, they easily overcame the one-run deficit. A rally in the bottom of the first was sparked by an RBI triple by junior Mikey Camarda, tied the game at one apiece. However, that was not enough for the Celtics, who scored nine more runs and led the Bulldogs 10-1 going into the second. Cole eventually settled in and allowed only one hit through his next four innings of work.
After a shutout in the top of the second, Saint Lawrence’s offense picked up where they left off. Sophomore Brandon Kubogamell hit an RBI double to right field, scoring Cole in his effort. Although the Celtics would only receive three more hits in the inning, they scored five runs on two walks, one hit by pitch, and one error. They led the Bulldogs 15-1 at the end of the second.
After a quiet third for the Celtics’ offense, Cole made the best out of his last regular season at bat by smashing a three-run home run. This was the first of his career and the season for the Celtics, putting them up 18-2. “It was there,” said Cole. “I saw it. And I hit it.”
“It’s been an unbelievable ride,” said Hashimoto. “I am very happy for these guys. They’ve worked really hard. We’ve had a fantastic year but we are not done. We still have CCS and we want to do well in CCS. That’s our goal and that’s been our goal from day one.”
Saint Lawrence is currently ranked 16th going in to CCS playoffs and will travel to Pacific Grove to take on the top-ranked Pacific Grove Breakers on Wednesday, May 21 at 4 p.m.
