GUSTINE — A momentum‑swinging third inning put the Gustine Reds in control early, but the Mariposa Grizzlies mounted a steady comeback and used a three‑run seventh to hand Gustine a 9–6 loss on Friday.
Gustine starter Alex Quezada opened strong, working around an early walk in the first with help from his defense, which erased the runner at second before Quezada punched out back‑to‑back hitters to end the frame. Mariposa struck first in the second, taking advantage of a balk and an errant throw to build a 2–0 lead. Quezada quickly settled in, striking out the side in the third to keep the Reds within reach.
Gustine flipped the game in the bottom half of the inning.
Eduardo Lomeli jump‑started the rally with a hard line drive to deep left‑center. A hit‑by‑pitch and a single loaded the bases, setting up Quezada’s deep two‑run double to tie the game. One pitch later, Frank Silvera launched a towering three‑run homer to left, giving the Reds a 5–2 advantage and electrifying the home crowd.
Mariposa chipped away in the fifth, using a ground‑rule double and a passed ball to close the gap. The Reds preserved the lead thanks to a full‑extension diving catch in left by Ryan Barcelos for the second out.
By the sixth, the Grizzlies had clawed back to even at 6–6. Silvera took over on the mound and worked out of a bases‑loaded jam with a crucial groundout to third, keeping the game tied entering the final inning.
The seventh proved decisive. Mariposa opened with a walk and a timely single, eventually pushing across three runs to reclaim the lead for good.
Gustine threatened in the bottom of the inning when Quezada and Silvera drew walks to bring the tying run to the plate, but a sharp comebacker turned into a double play, and a final strikeout ended the Reds’ comeback bid.
Silvera led the Reds with a three‑run homer, an RBI double and a walk. Quezada added a two‑run double, a hit‑by‑pitch and two walks, while Lomeli contributed a key single to left‑center.
The Reds will look to regroup Monday when they travel to Ripon for a non‑league matchup at 4 p.m.
