Indians take four-game sweep

Meagan Friberg/Paso Robles Press • Recent PRHS graduate Mac Stuart singled home Bryce Gerhardt with the game-winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning against Team San Diego to earn the 7-6 win for the Indians Friday night.

TEMPLETON — The North County Indians completed a four-game sweep by scoring 15 runs and banging out 22 hits in two seven-inning games against Team San Diego on Saturday, bringing their standings to 10-1 on the season.

Thursday evening, the Indians dominated San Diego 17-1 in their first face-off of the four-game series.

“The score did not indicate the skill level of the team we were playing,” Indians head coach Dan Marple said. “We got some timely hits early —things just went our way and not theirs. Hitting is contagious, and we have some good hitters.”

After a slow start, the Indians had an exciting comeback Friday evening when recent Paso Robles High School graduate Mac Stuart singled home Bryce Gerhardt with the game-winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning to earn a 7-6 win.

After his crowd-pleasing performance, Stuart said being part of the North County Indians has been a good learning experience.

“I’ve been learning a few new things,” Stuart said.

That’s an understatement, according to Marple. After sitting on the bench for nine innings, Stuart had a commanding performance for the Indians.

“We ask him to go in, he makes a play in the outfield and then comes up to bat and drives in the game-winning hit,” Marple said of Stuart. “That’s quite an achievement for a kid that’s been a starter for three years in high school. He’s not used to sitting on the bench.”

After scoring four runs in the fourth inning and two in the sixth, Team San Diego earned a 6-0 lead.

Tyler Kollmann pitched four shutout innings in relief to garner the win for North County. Kollmann struck out three, allowed two hits and no walks.

“I saw that we were down, but I came in, pitched and held them there so our team could hit,” Kollmann said after the win.

After runs in the sixth and seventh innings, the Indians scored an additional two runs in the eighth before sending the game into extra innings courtesy of a two-run home run by Brian Mundell.

After a leadoff walk by Gerhardt in the bottom of the 10th, Tanner Thompson provided a sacrifice to send Gerhardt on to second base before scoring on Stuart’s single.

Gerhardt, Thompson and Aaron Ashston each had two hits for the Indians.

Marple said he couldn’t ask for anything more in a baseball player when it comes to Kollman.

“We are kind of in a limbo position — we don’t know whether he belongs behind the plate or on the hill,” Marple said of Kollman. “Obviously his performance tonight shows that he is very capable of getting this level of player out with his pitching.”

Kollmann said playing semi professional ball is a new challenge.

“It’s different than high school, that’s for sure,” Kollmann said. “Better players make you better. Its definitely a lot of fun, a good team and a great atmosphere.”

The two teams were back at it in a double-header Saturday afternoon. In the first game, two Indian pitchers combined to two hit San Diego. 

Atascadero High School graduate Scott Kaul started and went a strong five innings. Kaul turned the game over to former Morro Bay standout, Cole Mauter, who allowed only one hit during his two-inning stint. 

“They played extremely well,” Marple said of Kaul and Mauter.

The Indians were powered by a two run home run by catcher Brian Mundell, who also had two walks. 

“Brian Mundell is doing really well for us,” Marple said.

Stuart and Mike Livingston each went 2-for-3. Stuart and Aaron Ashston also earned doubles for the Indians.

In the night cap, the Indians used five home runs and 14 total hits for the 10-5 win to complete the sweep. 

Stuart was 2-for-4 with a double and a home run. Ashston and Jason Serda each went 2-for-4.

According to Marple, Kollmann was “the hitting star,” going 4-for-4 with two home runs and five runs batted in. 

“It was the Tyler Kollman show Saturday night,” Marple said.

In addition to Mundells’ home runs, Stuart, Ashston and Bryce Bassinger added home runs.

Game-wining pitcher Louis Carlos went six innings and gave up three unearned runs.

The North County Indians will face off against the Fairfield Indians on Friday, June 22 at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, the two teams will play a double-header beginning at 5 p.m., with their final game of the series taking place Sunday at noon. All games will take place at the Vineyard Athletic Field.

“You are going to see a mixed bag of players when you come out to watch the Indians,” Marple said. “They all get along, and they all pull for each other.”

For more information, including game schedule and roster, call 835-6135 or go to www.northcountyindians.com.