Placer clinches series over Nevada Union with shutout

Coming off its first Foothill Valley League series loss of the season, the Placer High School baseball team bounced back in a big way. The Hillmen downed Nevada Union 4-3 on Monday in Grass Valley and delivered a strong encore performance at home Wednesday, blanking the Miners 6-0 to secure the series victory. Placer was elevated by a dominant start from Garrett Brink on the mound. The senior hurled a complete-game shutout, holding the Miners to one hit while striking out 10. Brink seemingly got better as the game went on, returning nine of the last 10 batters he faced. He carried a no-hit bid into the sixth inning but a single by Nevada Union's Xavier Deniz broke it up. Offensively, Placer was led by Sam Mowry, who drove home two runs with a single in the sixth inning. The Hillmen opened the scoring in the first inning when Robby Silski was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring a run home. Placer opened the floodgates in the third, pushing three runs across to extend the lead to 4-0. Dolen Gendron got the scoring started in the frame by drawing a walk with the bases loaded, then Ryder Kyle followed it up with a base knock to bring a run home. Jack Addison added some insurance by drawing a walk as well. While Placer only amassed five hits, it was patient at the plate and drew 11 walks and had two batters hit by pitches. The Hillmen were aggressive on base, as Silski swiped two bases and Will Rogers stole one. Placer (8-4, 4-2 FVL) sits tied for second in the FVL with Roseville after the win and both teams are a half-game behind Twelve Bridges through Wednesday's games. The Hillmen will go for the series sweep on Friday in Grass Valley.