Green Valley extends win streak to 12

Green Valley's baseball players don't panic when they fall behind, even if their coach isn't always as confident.

But with an offense like the Gators have, it's easy to see why the players are so sure they can come back.

"They think that. Sometimes, I get a little restless," Green Valley coach Matt Stoner said.

Green Valley fell behind 2-0 in the first inning Thursday, but it wasn't long before the Gators were back in control and cruising to an 11-2 home win over Silverado.

The victory was Green Valley's 12th straight. The Gators have scored eight or more runs in all 12 victories. Green Valley averages 11.5 runs per game, and has scored double-digit runs in 16 games.

Green Valley (18-2, 9-0 Southeast League) got things going in the bottom of the second, scoring three runs to take the lead for good. Zack Vergiels had an RBI single, and Derek Harmon hit an RBI double to tie the score.

Vergiels, the team's No. 7 hitter, was 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Harmon drove in two runs from the No. 8 spot.

"The bottom of our lineup is really going," Stoner said. "The top is always going to go, I think, but the bottom has just helped us out immensely."

The Gators batted around in the fourth, scoring five runs to make the score 11-2.

Gabe Douglas' two-run triple was the big blow. Douglas hit a liner to center, and the ball took a bad hop over the head of Silverado center fielder Dylan Cross.

Brett Harrison, who has signed with Hawaii, added a sacrifice fly in the inning. He also hit a two-run homer in the third and a double in the fifth.

"That was big for him," Stoner said. "He's such a competitor, and he's been trying so hard. For him to do that and have a couple RBIs ... that's huge. Once he gets his confidence going, he'll be fine."

Green Valley starter Jake DiDonato rebounded after the rocky first. He allowed three hits after the first, finishing with a five-hitter.

"The last couple days he's been really, really sick, so I was proud of him today," Stoner said. "He wanted the ball. I was a little hesitant in giving it to him because he was real sick."

Wyatt Reid went 2-for-3 with a double for Silverado (12-7, 6-3).

Contact prep sports editor Damon Seiters at dseiters@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4587.