The Mariners scored early and scored often against Contra Costa on Thursday afternoon. College of Marin scored two in the first, eight in the second and six in the third to take a 16-0 lead a third of the way through the game. From there the team let off the gas pedal and cruised to a 17-1 victory for their second win of the Bay Valley Conference season. Chase Gardner allowed just one hit over five innings as he earned the win while Marin got home runs from Marcus Chiu, Adam Hussain and Alex Davis all in the second inning.
Marin scored on the fourth batter of the game as MacLean Meyn singled to right plating Dominic Burke who led off the inning with a single. Hussain followed with an RBI groundout of his own to plate Chiu from third.
The first inning was just an appetizer to the run scoring buffet that would be Marin's bottom of the second. The Mariners loaded the bases with no outs before Burke singled in a pair to push the lead to 4-0. Chiu followed with a monster three run home run to left. It was his eighth of the year and seventh in the last eight games. Despite a 7-0 lead, Marin kept at it as Hussain followed with a two run shot just three batters later. Alex Davis capped the inning with a two out solo home run to give the home team a tidy 10-0 lead after two innings.
The bottom of the third provided another opportunity for Mariners' runs as they loaded the bases with two outs. Davis knocked a two run single and Jason Rodriguez followed with an RBI double of his own. After a walk to reload the bases, Burke walked to force in Marin's 14th run of the game. Jacob Kimbrough doubled in two more for good measure, to give the Mariners a 16-0 lead after three innings of play.
Contra Costa was held scoreless while Marin added their 17th run in the bottom of the fifth. Afterwards Mariners' Coach Steve Berringer emptied his bench to give the starters the rest of the game off. Marin starter Chase Gardner had some long periods of rest between his innings, but managed to stay sharp in the bullpen. He allowed one hit and walked five while striking out six in five innings of work. He was relieved by Seth Wedewer and Nick Bostow who combined to pitch the sixth inning before Jack Hill hurled the final three innings for Marin.
Contra Costa scored their lone run of the game in the top of the seventh from a double and a pair of singles.
At the dish it was a magnificent effort by Marin as they notched 17 hits and drew 11 walks. Dominic Burke had two hits, three RBI and two runs scored while Marcus Chiu had three more RBI and scored twice to go along with his home run in just three plate appearances. Alex Davis had a home run, four hits, three RBI and scored three runs. Jacob Kimbrough entered the game for Chiu and was three for three in his own right with three RBI.
The Mariners go for the series sweep of Contra Costa in San Pablo on Saturday, March 18th at 1:00PM.