Coyotes beat Pioneers in 12-run affair

The Madera Coyotes baseball team scored three runs or more on three different occasions to bounce back and upend the Mt. Whitney-Visalia Pioneers 12-2 in the Coca-Cola Classic in Mel Parker Field.

“It was a good answer back from the previous two games we had, against two tough opponents in Clovis North and Clovis High,” Madera head coach Andy Underwood said. “The good thing was, our guys are mentally tough. We weren’t down on ourselves at all after those losses and we came out and played a really good game. We had a good game plan, we executed, we were aggressive, and everybody was up from top to bottom on our team.”

Cole Brincefield and Brian Hefner combined for six RBIs during Saturday’s game to power the Coyotes to a mercy-rule victory. A combination of patience and power guided the pair to an impressive victory at home.

Although the two took the offensive plaudits, six Coyotes had an RBI, not to mention the Coyotes’ pitching was lights out.

Starter Nikayha Castro went five strong innings, allowing just four hits and striking out two. Brixton Gomes got two outs while surrendering a lone single, while Alex Trukki allowed the Pioneers two runs in the sixth inning.

For Madera, they couldn’t have asked for a better start. In the first inning, the Coyotes almost batted around the entire order, scoring three runs and leaving two men on. Isaac Chavira, Brincefield and Tony Noriega each drove a run in.

The action picked up in the bottom of the fourth inning. Kristian Gomez led off the inning with a deep shot to left field. The Pioneer left fielder charged in for the ball, but realized the ball was still traveling. The ball flew well over the fence for a lead off home run.

His home run set off a chain reaction, culminating in three more runs.

Castro reached base with a single before Pursell reached on a fielding error. Christian Chavira roped a double down the right field line, driving in Castro.

Hefner and Brincefield each followed with a sacrifice fly to push the Coyotes’ lead to 7-0.

Madera had their first six batters reach base in the sixth, which culminated in five runs, ending the game by mercy rule.