The Carlmont Scots varsity baseball team triumphed over the Hillsdale Knights, winning 3-2 on Saturday, May 2, at Oracle Park.
The Scots came out strong, bringing energy and intensity to the field. Junior Nathan Werbinski kicked off the game, pitching for the Scots.
“He just came back from an injury, so we were expecting him to come out with all the fire and energy that he could’ve been bringing the whole season,” said junior Arnav Prathipati.
Keeping the energy high, the Scots quickly took the lead, scoring in the bottom of the first inning with a run from Werbinski. Their strong defense and consistent pitching kept the Knights on their toes.
“In the first inning, we got that early start and set the tone, trying to show them we’re here to play,” Werbinski said.
The Scots extended their lead in the third inning, with sophomore Lucas Chan running home and putting Carlmont up 2-0.
However, the Knights were able to quickly catch up, scoring in the fourth and sixth innings to tie the game with a score of 2-2. The game went into extra innings after neither team could break the tie. Ultimately, the Scots scored in the ninth inning with the bases loaded, sweeping their second game of the week.
“We came in hot, with a lot of attitude towards the other team, and we came in with a chip on our shoulder, wanting to win, and we came out on top,” Werbinski said.
While the win was significant to the team, the setting made the game even more memorable. Playing at Oracle Park, the home of the San Francisco Giants, gave players a rare opportunity to play in a professional-level atmosphere.
“They’re memories that are going to last a lifetime. Most of us are never going to be able to play on this field, and to have this opportunity and be able to enjoy it and get a big win, there’s nothing that compares to that,” said Ryan Hamilton, the head coach of the Carlmont varsity baseball team.
At first, the atmosphere was unfamiliar to the players, from the expansive field to the larger-than-usual crowd. However, as the game progressed, the team was able to adjust and focus on their performance.
“At first, it’s nerve-racking, but once you settle in, you forget about the stadium, and you kind of find yourself and play the game,” Werbinski said.
The opportunity to play at Oracle Park came after the San Francisco Giants reached out to local high school teams with the chance to play at the stadium.
“The Giants reached out to a lot of schools in the area, inviting them to play, and our coach responded very quickly and let them know that we wanted to play,” said Patrick Smith, the Carlmont athletic director. “We had already chatted with Hillsdale about playing here with them, so the coaches were able to meet with the Giants and secure us a spot.”
For the players and spectators alike, the experience was unforgettable.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s definitely a night we won’t ever forget,” Prathipati said.
