SACRAMENTO — The Thunder’s bid for a CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I north baseball championship finally came to an end last week when pre-tournament favorite Elk Grove won a rematch 3-1 over Rocklin.

The reigning Sierra Foothill League champions opened the playoffs with a 7-6 victory over a tough Oak Ridge team.

“Oak Ridge is a tremendous team,” Rocklin head coach Roc Murray said after the win. “They’re the best Oak Ridge team that I’ve seen.”

That win put the Thunder into a head-on collision against the Elk Grove. Rocklin stunned the Thundering Herd 4-3 and moved on to the semifinal round against Davis.

The Rocklin nine suffered their first loss against the Blue Devils and that put them into the rematch with the Herd. Elk Grove stayed alive by defeating Franklin in the elimination bracket and set the stage for the showdown.

 “Elk Grove beat us. They’re a good team and that just happens sometimes,” said Murray.

Elk Grove loaded the bases in the second inning and pushed two runs across the plate on a pair of sacrifice fly balls. The Herd came back in the third inning for a 3-0 lead and prompting Murray to bring in pitcher Sam Curtis.

In his five innings of relief, Curtis kept Elk Grove off the board while striking out six and allowing one hit.

“I knew we played hard; we did everything we could do,” said an emotional Curtis, “just getting out of the dugout, making plays and having each other’s backs.”

Elk Grove pitcher Ty Madrigual had a no-hitter going until A.J. Sauer got things going for the Thunder. That momentum allowed Rocklin to load the bases with one out, but the boys in blue rally was cut short on a double play.

The Thundering Herd was able to hold Rocklin scoreless until the seventh inning, when Eric Petersen hit a solo home run. But that would end the Thunder’s scoring and an outstanding season.

 “They’re like a family,” said Murray reviewing the season. “They’re like brothers.  I had to send them home from practice sometimes because they were staying in the outfield playing catch. This is the best place to have it happen.”

The Thunder seniors were: Brad Dorward, Petersen, Curtis, Logan Webb, Nick Mears, A.J. League, Jack Dennis, Blake Eaton, Ryan Smith and Alex Stemple.

Curtis and Webb have also been selected to play for the North in the 43rd annual Optimist High School All Star Game 5 p.m. June 7 at McAuliffe Memorial Ballparks.

Source:  http://www.placerherald.com/article/rocklin%E2%80%99s-baseball-season-comes-close