Coyotes overwhelm Lions in non-league
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Madera’s Nikayha Castro throws a pitch during Friday’s 12-4 victory over the Kerman Lions. Not only did he pick up the win with four relief innings, he also had three hits, scored two runs and drove in another.
Nikayha Castro is a winner.
He showed that Friday night at Mel Parker Field.
The sophomore was three-for-four with two runs and an RBI. While his day at the plate was deserving of praise, his performance on the mound was equally as impressive as the Madera Coyotes baseball team raced past the Kerman Lions.
Castro came on in relief of Alex Trukki, who started strong, going through the Lions in the top of the first, but struggled in the top of the second inning, allowing three runs, including four walks.
Madera Coyotes head coach Andy Underwood made the call to pull Trukki.
Castro came in and immediately shut down the Lions.
He tossed four innings of relief, including four strikeouts and a lone run scored.
His performance drove the Coyotes, but his teammates helped make quick work of the Lions. Madera scored more than three runs in three innings, including a four-run bottom of the first.
Cole Brincefield led the Coyotes with three RBI’s, even though he didn’t have a hit. He walked twice, bringing a run in the process. In total, the Kerman Lions issued 10 free passes and the Coyotes capitalized.
Lead-off man Shane Pursell had a day. In five plate appearances, he had three walks, two hits and scored three runs. His patience at the plate gave Madera a punch.
Cameron Hernandes, Sam Hass and Tommy Molina benefitted greatly and combined for five RBI’s and five hits.
For the Lions, they relied on infielder Jayden Garcia who went two-for-three with two RBI’s. Kerman couldn’t crack Castro’s code, but the Coyotes had no issue with the Lions’ pitching staff.
Madera tagged Guillermo Cantu for six runs in two-plus innings, while also forcing him into four walks.
He was followed by Julian Zapata who gave up three earned runs. It didn’t matter who was on the mound, the
