BERKELEY HIGH SCHOOL -- Looking to pick up where they left off, Granada sent Sophomore Robert Chioino to the mound Saturday afternoon against the Berkeley Yellow Jackets.

Chioino held Berkeley hitless through the first six innings, allowing one unearned run and walking four, while striking out seven. Brandon Jefferis pitched the seventh inning, and despite walking three batters, he was able to finish off the no-hitter for Granada to seal the 6-1 victory.

Neither team was able to score through the first four innings, with Granada collecting three hits and Berkeley walking twice. The Matadors got the scoring started in the 5th, on a Ryan Mathia double, scoring Zak Blair. Berkeley countered back in the bottom half of the inning, scoring an unearned run following a walk and fielder's choice, as the result of a groundout.

The Mats kept the scoring going in the sixth. Following a leadoff walk from Matty Proetel, Gino Belluomini pulled Granada ahead, with a two-run home run to left field, putting them on top 3-1, scoring pinch runner Anthony Miller.

Chioino was able to work his way out of the sixth, with Belluomini throwing out KJ Sudduth trying to steal second to end the inning.

Looking to expand on their lead in the seventh, the Mats sent all nine men to the plate, scoring three more runs to given them a 5-run lead, in large part to doubles from Turner Hartley and Matty Proetel.

Brandon Jefferis retired the first two men in the inning, but after walking three straight, was able to get the final batter to ground out, completing the no-hitter for the Granada Matadors.

Granada’s next game is Thursday, March 6th at 3:30pm in Antioch. Come out and cheer on your Mats as they take on Deer Valley High School!

Nicholas Badders is a writer for Granada baseball.