| | Published April 15th, 2009
| Kendall's Double Sparks Comeback Win For Miramonte
| | By Kevin D. Shallat |  | | Acalanes' left-handed pitcher John Treat on the mound Photo Jordan Fong
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Acalanes held a 2-1 advantage going into the final inning of play against Miramonte's baseball team on Wednesday, April 1, and were in position to continue their undefeated conference streak, and move to 4-0. However, Chris Kendall and the rest of the Matadors had other ideas, as Kendall's leadoff double led the final inning rally that capped off a 3-2 comeback home field win for Miramonte.
The Miramonte game started off as a relatively routine pitchers' duel. Both John Treat (Acalanes) and John Vaccaro (Miramonte) gave up only one run on five hits on the day. Yet, as the game progressed -- or rather, regressed -- the game took on a strange and unfamiliar turn, becoming anything but routine.
It started in the bottom of the second when Miramonte's Michael Mann was called out at the plate on a batter interference call. The umpire claimed the batter got in the way of the throw down to second on a steal attempt.
Miramonte was able to score the first run of the game in the bottom of the third inning when catcher Kevin Paulson lined a double to left field. Two batters later, center fielder Joey Epperson drove Paulson home on a single to right center field.
Two innings later, Acalanes struck back with two of its own runs. After Paulson was called for catcher interference, shortstop Evan Heptig was awarded first base for Acalanes. Acalanes left fielder Mike Avery followed with a fielder's choice. After Treat was able to get a walk, third baseman Trevor Lahonta unleashed a big hit to right center to give the Dons a 2-1 advantage. Lahonta went 2-3 with two RBI's on the day.
The Dons were not immune to the odd calls themselves, as perhaps the biggest call of the day went against Acalanes. Treat was in the process of pitching a gem when the umpire ruled that he had to leave the pitcher's spot because the Acalanes manager took two trips to the mound, rather than the one trip allowed per inning. Treat relinquished the mound, but remained in the game, playing first base.
With Miramonte down 2-1 in the bottom of the final inning, the Matadors turned to their nine hitter and second baseman, Kendall, for some April Fool's Day heroics.
Kendall connected on a fastball that caromed off the Orinda Shell sign in deep left field. He was 2-3 on the day. Paulson then followed with his second double of the day. Three batters later, Matt Lloyd hit a walk-off single that bounced off the glove of the pitcher, clinching this dramatic 3-2 win for Miramonte.
"It's definitely a bounce back from losing to our rival (Campolindo)," said Kendall after the game. "This will definitely set us off on a good track for the next weeks and games."
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 | | Miramonte's Kevin Paulson (left) and Joey Epperson celebrate win against Acalanes Photo Jordan Fong
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA