July 12, 1995

Fair Oaks Post 383's Garrett Schoenfelder puts the tag on an Auburn runner during an attempted steal in the seventh inning of Fair Oaks' game at Bella Vista High School. Fair Oaks was a 10-3 winner. Photo by John Blenkle

Fair Oaks sweeps through Auburn
By Joe Blenkle/Sports Editor
(This article originally appeared in the July 12, 1995 edition of The Orangevale News)

The playoff picture is still far from decided in the American Legion baseball's American Division, but Fair Oaks will find out this weekend what their fate is as far as post-season play goes. There are a number of possibilities open - with four games left (including today's 5 p.m. matchup at Bella Vista High School against Kennedy-Valley).
If Fair Oaks were to win its four remaining games, it would capture the American Division title and claim a first-round bye in the playoffs which begin July 19 in Woodland. Any other combination of wins or losses becomes tricky, as both Charles Eggen and Cordova are only one and a half games back of Fair Oaks. It would be a safe bet to assume that Fair Oaks may need to win at least three of its four games to even make the playoffs, as they face Division-leading Citrus Heights (20-3) in the final three. Charles Eggen (16-8) faces last place Elk Grove in its final three games, while Cordova meets Auburn.

American Legion - Post 383
Date	Opponent	Score
5-31	Fort Sutter	W, 15-6
6-3	Charles Eggen	L, 8-6
6-3	Charles Eggen	W, 5-4
6-4	Charles Eggen	W, 12-6
6-8	Roseville	W, 12-8
6-10	El Dorado	W, 9-6
6-10	El Dorado	W, 7-5
6-11	El Dorado	W, 13-2
6-18	Cordova	L, 6-2
6-18	Cordova	L, 2-0
6-21	Post 61	L, 3-1
6-23	Cordova	L, 3-2
6-24	Haggin Grant	W, 10-7
6-24	Haggin Grant	W, 14-7
6-25	Haggin Grant	W, 19-3
6-28	Winters	W, 22-7
7-1	Elk Grove	W, 16-0
7-1	Elk Grove	W, 6-4
7-2	Elk Grove	W, 13-3
7-5	Yolo	L, 4-0
7-8	Auburn	W, 10-3
7-8	Auburn	W, 5-3
7-9	Auburn	W, 10-3
OVERALL: 17-6 LEAGUE: 17-6

    Auburn (13-10) may have a chance to do some damage against Cordova (16-8), but Eggen's fortunes rest in playing the 3-20 Elk Grove team. Fair Oaks' four consecutive losses several weeks ago certainly loom large and Wednesday's 4-0 loss to Yolo certainly didn't help, but Fair Oaks has won their last three and certainly has the potential to go all the way.
    Saturday and Sunday, Fair Oaks swept its three-game series from Auburn, with a doubleheader win on Saturday and a single-game victory Sunday.
    Saturday, Post 383 opened with a 10-3 victory as Andy Tews scattered seven hits for the complete-game victory. Auburn scored all three of its runs in the first inning as Tews got off to a shaky start, but he settled down to get Auburn out in order in the second and Fair Oaks came back to tie the game in the bottom of the inning.
    With one out, it was Tews that got things started, as he drew a walk and moved to third on Brian Malchow's hit to right field. Catcher Shawn Lucchesi then hit into a force play, allowing Tews to score to make it 3-1. Dennis Hunt followed with a hit to right center, sending Lucchesi to third and then a walk to shortstop Garrett Schoenfelder; loaded the bases. Second baseman Reagan Reynolds then got a hit to right to score both Lucchesi and Hunt to tie the game.
    Fair Oaks took the lead in the third as third baseman Jason Wilkerson led off and hit the first pitch he looked at over the left center field fence. In the fifth inning, Fair Oaks added another run as first baseman Eric Henrikson led off with a walk. With Tews at the plate, Henrikson was off and running as Tews slashed a ball to third. With two outs and Lucchesi at the plate, Henrikson advanced to third on a wild pitch and then scored on another wild pitch for the 5-3 lead.
    Four more runs came across in the bottom of the seventh as Kevin McKeown led off with a walk. Wilkerson followed with a hit to left and then McKeown scored on Henrikson's hit through the infield for a 6-3 game. Tews then blooped one into center to load the bases, prompting Auburn to send in a new pitcher. He got Malchow to ground to first, with the throw coming home to force Wilkerson at the plate. Lucchesi followed, however, with a hit to left, scoring both pinch runner B.J. Crone and Tews for an 8-3 lead. Hunt followed with a hit to left to score Malchow, making it a 9-3 Fair Oaks lead.
    Auburn went out in order in the top of the eighth and Fair Oaks came back to score its final run of the game in the bottom of the inning. Reynolds led off with a ground ball to short that was booted, allowing him to reach first base safely. A wild pitch with McKeown at the plate sent Reynolds to second, and then Wilkerson walked to put two runners on. With two out, Tews got a hit to left to drive in Reynolds on a close play at the plate. The ball had Reynolds beat but the catcher dropped it as Reynolds slid in and Fair Oaks owned a 10-3 lead.
    Tews got three straight outs in the top of the ninth to end the game giving Post 383 the victory.
    In Saturday's second game, Jarred Hunt and Stu Goodall combined for a 5-3 victory. Hunt pitched six strong innings, with Goodall coming in to finish things off in the seventh. Jim Ott led Post 383 on the field, collecting two hits, including a double and two RBI.
    Fair Oaks won again on Sunday by an identical score - 5-3 - this time behind the pitching of Ott and an eighth inning relief appearance by Goodall. Ryan Case was Fair Oaks' leading hitter with two hits, including a double. Fair Oaks record now stands at 17-6.

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