Trojan Christian Schillinger begins his 6th inning home run trot Photo Frank Tse
After a three-inning siesta under the hot Orinda sun, the Trojan offense sprung to life with a big six-run inning in the 11-2 Trojan win over the Orinda Mustang Grizzlies on May 16.
Until the top of the 4th inning, pitching and defense by both teams dominated. Trojans Shane Dalton and Timothy Tierney combined to strike out eight Grizzlies in the first three innings. Grizzly pitchers were equally dominating, striking out eight Trojans the first time through the Trojan line-up.
Ben Mollahan provided the wake-up call with a line drive lead-off double to start the 4th inning. After walks by Will Cassriel and Christian Schillinger loaded the bases, Trojan hitters produced clutch hits time and time again. The biggest came from Chase Callister, whose triple to the fence cleared the bases.
Steven Rein followed up with a huge blast into the outfield for an RBI double. Tierney and Dalton each had RBI singles in the inning.
Meanwhile, stellar defense by the Trojans continued to frustrate the Grizzlies, who like the Trojans have one of the most balanced teams in the league. Trojan outfielders Walker Lambert, Jonah Medal-Katz, and infielders Gavin Flum and Stephen Tse kept the Grizzly run production to a minimum. Highlights included second baseman Mollahan catching a hard-hit liner in the 4th, and outfielder Rein throwing out a runner at home in the 5th.
"This is probably our best game of the season," said Trojan Manager Steve Cassriel. "Both teams played good defense and executed on the field," added Trojan Coach Pat Dalton.
Both teams now head into the double-elimination Mustang league playoffs with winning records.
Until the top of the 4th inning, pitching and defense by both teams dominated. Trojans Shane Dalton and Timothy Tierney combined to strike out eight Grizzlies in the first three innings. Grizzly pitchers were equally dominating, striking out eight Trojans the first time through the Trojan line-up. 
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA