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Gunn batted around in the first inning and scored five runs Thursday at Milpitas. An indication of what was to come.
Gunn’s bats never cooled off in a 16-11 Santa Clara Valley Athletic League El Camino Division victory.
As it’s said about baseball, you never know. Gunn (2-4, 2-1) managed only one run against Milpitas on Tuesday in an 8-1 loss at home.
“They beat us pretty good on Tuesday,’’ Gunn coach John Harney said. “For the guys to come back with a big win feels great.’’
The top four batters in Gunn’s lineup went a combined 13 of 17 with 12 runs scored and nine RBIs. Leadoff batter Nathan Nakamitsu had three hits, including a triple to lead off the game, scored four runs and stole a base. No. 2 batter Ryan So went 4 for 4 with four runs scored and three RBIs, a home run, double and stolen base. Third batter and catcher Michael Panitchpakdi had three hits, including a double, three runs scored and three RBIs. Cleanup batter Cole Montovani went 3 of 4 with a triple and three RBIs.
How do you explain it?
“Honestly I think it was our mentality,’’ So said. “Coming over on the bus I could just tell. And it carried over into the way we played.’’
After Gunn took that 5-0 lead in the top of the first, Milpitas came back with two in the bottom of the first on a home run by Max Gonzalez. So homered to left in the top of the second, the first home run by a Gunn batter this season.
“It felt real good,’’ So said. “I didn’t think I got all of it, but it just kept going.’’
Milpitas tied the score 6-6 after three innings. That’s when Harney brought in So from shortstop to pitch and he held the Trojans scoreless the next three innings while the Titans piled on 10 more runs — three in the fourth, three in the fifth, four in the sixth — to take a 16-6 lead.
What felt better, the home run or the three shutout innings on the mound?
“I’ve got to go with the home run,’’ So said. “It doesn’t happen very often for me. My mom is going to like it when I tell her.’’
Milpitas (3-3, 1-1) rallied for five runs in the bottom of the seventh and Josh Pennington was summoned from right field to come in and pitch and he got the final two outs to close out the win.
For Harney the win was extra special.
“Today is my anniversary and now I’m going to be in a good mood,’’ the veteran skipper said. “My 32nd anniversary — 32 years of my wife putting up with me coaching baseball.’’