Nolan Tooley makes a delivery to the plate on Thursday. (Presidio Sports Photos)
Nolan Tooley pitched six innings on Thursday to lead Bishop Diego’s baseball team to a 5-2 Tri-Valley League victory over visiting Nordhoff.
Tooley won his first game of the season in his second decision. The senior right-hander struck out five batters and helped his own cause at the plate with two RBI.
Bishop Diego shortstop Scott Mandrell fields a ground ball in front of a Nordhoff baserunner before getting a force-out at second base.
Jack Gregson finished with a three-hit day, including a triple in the bottom of the fifth. Gregson relieved Steven Kohler in the bottom of the seventh and recorded the final out of the game to pick up a save.
Jacob Salcedo added a double and made a nice running catch near the left-field foul line that saved two runs.
Thursday’s result improves Bishop Diego to 2-0 in TVL play while Nordhoff falls to 0-2. Bishop Diego plays Carpinteria next in a non-league game before returning to league play the following week.
After losing their first three games of the season, the Cardinals have won seven of their past nine games.
“We’re happy to get off to a good start in league this year, especially in such a competiteive league,” said Cardinals assistant coach Kai Solin.
Bishop Diego never trailed on Thursday, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning. The Rangers evened the score with a single run in the top of the third but Bishop answered with a three-run inning in the bottom half of the frame to take a 4-1 lead.
The Cardinals took a 5-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth before Nordhoff scored the game’s final run in the top of the sixth.
LINESCORE
N 001 001 0 – 2 6 1
BD 103 010 x – 5 7 0
Teammates come out of the dugout to congratulate Jacob Salcedo, left, for making a tough running catch in left field that ended the top half of the fifth inning and saved at least one run.
