Valley captures first conference series against Glendale

The Monarchs baseball sits in first place in the Western State Conference after taking two from the Glendale Vaqueros.

By Alex Diaz, Sports Editor

Shortstop Tino Valdez executed a sweeping play to retire Glendale at second base. Valdez boasts a total of 35 assists.

(Taylor Cowhey | Valley Star)

Valley College men’s baseball defeated Glendale College 7-1 Saturday at Stengel Field to capture the first three-game series of the season. 

Dorian Asher and Royce Clayton Jr. helped power the offense with home runs. Asher sent one over the fence in the fourth and Clayton Jr. went yard in the final inning. 

“Felt good I’ve been hitting the ball hard all week, It felt good to finally get one out,” said Royce Clayton Jr. after a recent practice. 

Sophomores Eddie Zapata and Royce Clayton Jr. each scored a run for the Monarchs in the second inning, while shortstop Tino Valdez scored twice, once in the second inning and once in the ninth inning. 

Pitcher Drew Gustafson, who earned the win, lifted the Monarchs to a 2-1 Western State Conference record. 

“I’ve been struggling on the mound mentally with throwing strikes and thinking too much but I went out there. If I had thrown a ball or two, I’d step back and reset myself and get in the right mindset for the next pitch,” said Drew Gustafson after a recent practice.

Pitcher Drew Gustafson led the Monarchs to victory against Glendale College in the last game of the three-game series.

(Taylor Cowhey | Valley Star)

The Monarchs lost a rain-shortened game Thursday to the Vaqueros, 0-2. 

As the game progressed, the team's energy seemed to dwindle. The game had to be called off in the 7th inning due to rain and lightning.

The Monarchs notched their first conference win of the season on March 5, with a 3-2 win against the Vaqueros at Stengel Field.

“Hoping to get another win down,” said Coach Dave Mallas after Tuesday’s game. 

The Monarchs dominated as Tino Valdez scored the first run, followed by a double from outfielder Royce Clayton Jr to add a second run in the top of the third inning.

Glendale narrowed the score to 2-1 in the seventh before pitcher Daniel Tovar finished off the inning with a strikeout. 

“I knew if I threw it over the plate, I’d get them out,” said Daniel Tovar after defeating Glendale.

In the top of the eighth, Valley threatened to score again with Valdez advancing to third and Clayton Jr to second base, but Glendale managed to get three outs before they could score. Pitcher Ryan Higgins took the mound in the bottom of the eighth for the Monarchs.

At the bottom of the final inning, Glendale managed to score a run off Higgins, but he struck out the side with runners on first and second to save the win. 

“This team can win against anyone as well as lose against anyone, it all depends on their mindset going into it,” said Coach Dave Mallas after a recent practice. 

Valley travels to West LA College on Tuesday for its next conference match. First pitch is at 2:30 p.m.