Pitching and defense wins championships, or individual games to start. After an inconsistent week for both, the Mariners got their series with Contra Costa off on the right foot. Demian White delivered eight shutout innings while the defense played error free to give Marin a 3-0 win over the Contra Costa College Comets.
White started off the game strong by retiring nine of the first ten batters he faced with a pair of strikeouts mixed in. He held the Comets in check and put up zeroes over the first third of the game.
Marin's offense was put down in order in the first, but they made noise starting in the second inning. Conor Bardue led off the second with a walk and moved to second on a single by Dionathan Cornet. Both advanced on an infield ground out. With Matthew Lozovoy at the plate, a wild pitch plated Bardue as Cornet moved to third. Lozovoy lofted a fly ball to left that scored Cornet to put the Mariners on top 2-0.
Marin added one run in the third, as Anthony Pomilia was hit by a pitch with one out. Landen Moran followed with a double to score Pomilia and increase the Mariners lead to 3-0.
White downed the Comets in the fourth and allowed just a two out single in the fifth inning. After that single the freshman starter retired ten straight batters and finished off the eighth inning with his eighth strikeout of the game.
White had the chance for the complete game shutout, but allowed a single to start the ninth and was replaced by Michael Benz. The Mariners' closer did his duty with three straight outs to finish off the game.
White earned his second win of the season and lowered his ERA to 3.58 in 37.2 innings on the mound. Benz recorded his third save in as many games. Moran had two doubles and an RBI while Bardue had a pair of walks and scored a run for Marin.
The victory improved the Mariners record to 7-2 in the Bay Valley Conference and 13-11 overall in the 2019 season. Game two of the series with the Comets is Thursday, March 28th in San Pablo with first pitch scheduled for 2:30.