The Benicia Oldtimers are on quite a roll entering this weekend’s playoffs – the Dutch Van Wey Classic – being held at baseball fields throughout Benicia.
Benicia wrapped up the regular season by beating Vallejo last Sunday, 1-0, at Fitzgerald Field. It was the fourth consecutive victory for the Oldtimers (17-6), who have won 11 of their past 13 games. Brandon Fade threw seven shutout innings, allowing only two hits with four walks and two strikeouts.
Benicia jumped out to an early lead when Mark Mortensen got the team’s first hit and later scored on a two-out RBI single by Kurt Mendonza. Benicia threatened in the next three innings but couldn’t get any insurance runs across the plate, stranding 13 base runners.
Fortunately for Benicia, Fade was on cruise control. He faced the minimum number of batters through six innings and got some defensive help from right fielder Ernest Holquin, who threw the would-be tying run out at the plate. Vallejo loaded the bases with one out in the ninth, but relief pitcher Rich Reza induced a pop up and a ground ball to end the game.
Eric Wheat had two of Benicia’s six hits.
Benicia opens the playoffs Saturday at 9 a.m. against San Leandro at Benicia High School and will play again at noon against Watsonville at Fitzgerald Field.
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