Starting their season with eight losses and a tie, the Rocklin Thunder baseball team, who lost a senior-dominated lineup from last year, began their season in the trenches. The team entered league play with a losing record, but earned early series wins over Del Oro and Whitney. Momentum started to build, and the boys battled their way into the playoffs as the No. 12 seed. Their first playoff opponent was No. 5 seed Woodcreek Timberwolves. The game, played May 6, turned into a pitching masterclass from junior Andrew Hancock and senior Derric Stephens, as the duo combined for a shutout in Rocklin’s 5-0 win overWoodcreek. The team now advances to play Jesuit Marauders on May 8.
“Honestly, I felt amazing, just dialed in, throwing strikes and helping my team get that dub,” Hancock said. Hancock pitched a total of five innings, allowing only one hit while recording six strikeouts. Hancock, Rocklin’s most dominant pitcher, gave the Thunder an obvious edge over Woodcreek, but that could hurt them in later rounds. Hancock now has to take a mandatory two-day rest period, meaning he may not be able to pitch again until the third or fourth round of the playoffs. However, Hancock said, “I know we’re just going to be a lot more confident going into the next game.” Hopefully the pitching staff of Rocklin can build off this win and be as dominant as there are with Hancock on the mound.
For Stephens, closing out the Woodcreek game felt good. “The fastball felt good, probably the best I’ve ever felt, to be honest,” he said. Coming in as the closer, Stephens pitched two innings, recorded one strikeout and picked off a runner. Stephens and the defense were clicking, as he consistently put the ball in play and allowed the defense to force outs and secure the win. “I knew our seniors wanted another practice tomorrow and another game Friday, so I had to come out and do my thing,” Stephens said.
The boys also played well offensively, scoring five total runs with RBIs from senior Max Griffith and junior Colby Cobb. The Thunder now face Jesuit, which originally brought concern because of star pitcher Sammy Kane. However, in Rocklin’s favor, Kane pitched in Jesuit’s previous game and will not be available against the Thunder. “We were ready anyway, but not facing their number one definitely gives us more confidence,” Hancock said. With the advantage of not having to face Kane, the Thunder hope to continue their playoff run and show the Sac-Joaquin Section who the true underdogs are.
