Ruley Steals Home, Leads Livermore to Win Over Granada
Ryan Ruley safely slides into home plate to end the thrilling contest. Photo by Carly Feltz
By Chris Jackson Thursday May 21, 2015
LIVERMORE, CA-More heroic actions told the tale in the Livermore-Granada rivalry.
After trailing 3-2, the Livermore Cowboys completed a 4-3 victory the Granada Matadors behind Ryan Ruley's stolen base
at home plate in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The steal home resulted in more drama to the rivalry. Granada entered winning the last two meetings over the Cowboys
on walkoff walks and a controversial call at home ended another wild affair.
Players and coaches looked in shock after Ruley was called safe at home. Some wanted batters interference, others thought
that he appeared to be tagged out before reaching safely regardless. Nevertheless, another thriller told the tale in one of
the area's most passionate baseball rivalries.
Entering the bottom of the seventh down 3-2, three outs would have resulted in Granada completing the sixth sweep in seven
years over its rival. Livermore's offense wouldn't let that happen.
Shortstop phenom Dominic Foscalina roped a leadoff double off the right field wall to begin it all. An error got two runners on
before Justin Mitchell doubled to knot it up at three.
An intentional walk loaded the bases with one out and Logan Cole followed that up by striking out. With two outs, the game
hinged on Hayden Goldstein's at-bat to decide if it would end or head to extras. Instead, a stolen base at home sealed the
victory.
Stellar hitting from senior Alex Cupps was nearly enough for Granada. His second home run of the day was belted over the
396 sign in centerfield to make it 3-2 in favor of the Matadors in the seventh. He also drilled an opposite field shot over the
right field fence to even the score up at two in the fourth.
Jared Buranis' terrific work out of the bullpen almost clinched it, too. After relieving starter AJ McMillan in the fourth inning,
he recorded three strikeouts and started it off with a bang. He helped strand runners on first and second to begin his time
on the mound.
Kevin Key led the way offensively for the Cowboys, finishing with a pair of hits and a double.
With the victory, Livermore avoided the sweep to Granada and finished the regular season at 14-10 overall and 7-7 in the
East Bay Athletic League. Granada ended with a 12-12 record, going 5-9 in EBAL and will also await its NCS playoff seeding
on Sunday.
After trailing 3-2, the Livermore Cowboys completed a 4-3 victory the Granada Matadors behind Ryan Ruley's stolen base
at home plate in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The steal home resulted in more drama to the rivalry. Granada entered winning the last two meetings over the Cowboys
on walkoff walks and a controversial call at home ended another wild affair.
Players and coaches looked in shock after Ruley was called safe at home. Some wanted batters interference, others thought
that he appeared to be tagged out before reaching safely regardless. Nevertheless, another thriller told the tale in one of
the area's most passionate baseball rivalries.
Entering the bottom of the seventh down 3-2, three outs would have resulted in Granada completing the sixth sweep in seven
years over its rival. Livermore's offense wouldn't let that happen.
Shortstop phenom Dominic Foscalina roped a leadoff double off the right field wall to begin it all. An error got two runners on
before Justin Mitchell doubled to knot it up at three.
An intentional walk loaded the bases with one out and Logan Cole followed that up by striking out. With two outs, the game
hinged on Hayden Goldstein's at-bat to decide if it would end or head to extras. Instead, a stolen base at home sealed the
victory.
Stellar hitting from senior Alex Cupps was nearly enough for Granada. His second home run of the day was belted over the
396 sign in centerfield to make it 3-2 in favor of the Matadors in the seventh. He also drilled an opposite field shot over the
right field fence to even the score up at two in the fourth.
Jared Buranis' terrific work out of the bullpen almost clinched it, too. After relieving starter AJ McMillan in the fourth inning,
he recorded three strikeouts and started it off with a bang. He helped strand runners on first and second to begin his time
on the mound.
Kevin Key led the way offensively for the Cowboys, finishing with a pair of hits and a double.
With the victory, Livermore avoided the sweep to Granada and finished the regular season at 14-10 overall and 7-7 in the
East Bay Athletic League. Granada ended with a 12-12 record, going 5-9 in EBAL and will also await its NCS playoff seeding
on Sunday.