Hamilton ends Bears’ season with 10-0 shutout

The Hamilton Braves got a shutout pitching effort from Craig Lohse and a home run blast by Jamisson Parker to top Pierce 10-0 in the first round of the Northern Section Division 3 playoffs on Friday.

Lohse went five innings and gave up just three hits in posting the shutout. He gave up basehits to the first two batters of the game, but allowed only one other safety to the remaining 17 batters in collecting his fifth win of the season. Lohse struck out five and walked none.

Meanwhile Parker scored the first run of the game when he blasted a shot over the left field fence for his third home run of the season. Parker also had a sacrifice fly during Hamilton’s four-run rally in the third inning.

The Bears played without top pitcher Jake Driver, who injured his shoulder earlier in the week. Michael Barber started on the mound and got the Braves in order in the first inning, but gave up nine runs over the next three innings before giving way to Ottie Harris in the fourth.

Jeff Cavins had a big day as well for the Braves. He singled in the third inning to drive in a run and also had an RBI single in the fourth. Brad Lohse finished 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI while Peter Knight, David Sanchez and Michael Castro all had one hit apiece.

The Braves took on Willows on Tuesday in the second round of the Division 3 playoffs. If Hamilton won and Colusa lost on Tuesday, the Braves would host the section finals on Saturday at a time to be determined. If Colusa won on Tuesday against Durham, it would host on Saturday at 1 p.m.