ALWS Day 3: San Mateo cruises to 2-0

San Mateo, Calif., Post 82 needed two runs in the top of the ninth inning to edge Texarkana 4-2 Friday in both team’s American Legion World Series opener. Saturday was a different story for the California team.

The Shockers (34-5) scored four runs in the first three innings and never looked back, downing Leesburg, Va., Post 34 8-0. San Mateo takes a 2-0 record into Sunday’s final day of pool play.

“Everybody just does their job,” said Post 82 right fielder Ramon Enriquez, who hit a two-run home run in the third inning. “Our coach says ‘everybody just do your job.’ We do it, and we come out with a ‘W.’”

After a scoreless first inning, Kaleb Keelean bunted his way on base to start the second inning, moved to second on Jordan Brandenburg's single and came home on Nick Knecht’s single. Brandenburg scored on an error to give the Shockers a 2-0 lead.

That lead doubled with one swing of the bat in the third. Felix Aberouette walked, and Ramon Enriquez followed with a shot that easily cleared the left-field fence. An error and wild pitch in the bottom of the fourth led to Brandenburg scoring, upping the lead to 5-0.

In the bottom of the sixth, Knecht singled and Ricardo Barraza reached on a fielder’s choice. Tyler Villaroman followed with a single, and Aberouette then doubled into left field, clearing the bases and extending the advantage to 8-0.

John Besse (2-0) pitched an efficient 7.2 innings, scattering eight hits and walking just one batter. Leesburg (20-10 overall, 0-2 in pool play) did manage 10 hits but left 12 runners on base.

The Shockers continue to carry the memory of their former teammate, Calvin Riley, with them. “With the heavy hearts we’ve had since the regional, we just keep playing,” Enriquez said. “(Baseball) is a great distraction. But at the same time, we connect with him.”