Fresh off a sweep of Yuba College last week, the Mariners looked to continue streaking against Napa Valley College. The opener of the series on Tuesday did not go as planned, as Napa's starter James Tanner-White delivered an exemplary performance to shut down the College of Marin offense in a 7-1 defeat. The Mariners were limited to just two hits, two walks and a single unearned run over the nine innings of play.
Napa scored in the top of the first as a leadoff single moved to third on a ground out and an error before scoring on a sacrifice fly. College of Marin starter Dominic Burke did a good job of keeping Napa off balance, but his offense was unable to support him.
Marin had a runner in scoring position in both the second and third innings but could not find a way to tie the score up.
Napa added to their advantage in the top of the fourth as a leadoff double and single put runners at the corners. After a strikeout, a caught stealing at second, allowed the runner from third to come to the plate and doubled Napa's lead to 2-0.
The score remained the same until the top of the sixth when Burke ran into trouble. Two hits and a fielder's choice put runners on first and third with one out. A double scored a pair and after a walk, an overthrow on a potential double play ball let in Napa's fifth score of the afternoon.
The Mariners got on the board in the bottom of the seventh as Alex Davis reached on an error and scored with two outs on another error to cut the lead to 5-1. Burke was hit by a pitch to put two on with two out but Marcus Chiu flied out to center to end the threat.
Napa Valley College added two more in the top of the ninth on a two out double but the insurance was not needed as the Mariners were retired in order in last half of the ninth.
Tanner-White was excellent for Napa as he struck out five and allowed just two hits a walk and an unearned run in six and two thirds innings pitched. Burke was the victim of a few misplayed balls and allowed five runs, three earned in five and a third innings. MacLean Meyn and Jake Munoz had the only two hits of the game for the Mariners.
Marin has a day off before traveling to Napa on Thursday, March 30th for game two of the series.