Kunes’ Arm Plays a Fine Tune

YOUNTVILLE — If Valley North proved anything during the first round of the American Legion state baseball playoffs at Cleve Borman Field on Saturday, it’s that you should never make a musician mad.

Left-handed pitcher Mike Kunes, an accomplished pianist, fired a gutsy seven-hitter over Palo Alto and had two hits and four runs batted in to lead Valley North to an 11-2 victory.

During pregame warmups in the outfield, Palo Alto players mocked the 15-year-old Kunes and his piano-playing prowess--which was noted in a local newspaper article.

“They said, ‘I wish I could play the piano,’ ” Valley North Coach Matt LaCour said. “But I guess he played a tune on them.”

Valley North will play Stockton Karl Ross, a 12-2 winner over Auburn, in the winner’s bracket of the double-elimination tournament today at 3 p.m.

Kunes (12-0) dominated without his best fastball. He changed speeds effectively enough to create 16 fly-ball outs and hit his spots well enough to strike out four and walk just two.

Appearing to tire after Palo Alto pulled to within 4-2 on two sixth-inning runs, Kunes responded by retiring 11 consecutive batters to end the game against a team that had come-from-behind victories in its Area 2 semifinal and final games.

“This is the biggest tournament I’ve ever been in,” Kunes said. “I just came out of my shoes today. I kept talking to myself about what to do out there.”

Kunes gave himself all the offensive support he would need with a two-out, three-run triple in the top of the first inning that made it 4-0. The hit came two batters after Valley North left fielder Frank DiPoma foiled Palo Alto’s attempt at an inning-ending double play by hustling out a grounder. That scored the first run.

“It was a lot easier getting out there to pitch with a 4-0 lead,” Kunes said.

Palo Alto starter Jon Brandt, a UCLA-bound right-hander, sent the Valley North bats into hibernation after the first inning. He did not allow another hit until the eighth, but eight walks, a wild pitch and two hit batters kept him in trouble all game long.

“I think our intensity just dropped a little there,” Kunes said. “But he was an outstanding pitcher.”

Valley North finally got to Brandt (9-2) again in the eighth when Danny Eisenberg was hit by a pitch, went to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on Joe Tillmon’s single to give Valley North a 5-2 lead.

Brandt left the game after throwing 131 pitches through 7 1/3 innings and reliever Grant Feightmeier was the cure for Valley North’s sleepy bats.

Valley North exploded for six runs on six hits in the ninth inning, keyed by a run-scoring triple by Tom Morefield and Matt Fisher’s two-out, two-run single.

“It took a while but I know we had a big inning in there somewhere,” LaCour said. “This is the toughest lineup I’ve ever seen at this level. We’ve got guys on the bench who can go out and get the job done.”

Kunes’ performance not only helped in this game, but gave Valley North a fresh bullpen for today.

“This is a big win,” LaCour said. “Especially with Mike going all the way. We don’t have a lot of pitching anyway and to go into the second round with all of our pitchers healthy and ready to go is a big plus.”

Tom Morefield will pitch today. Pitchers are allowed to pitch 12 innings in a 72-hour span, meaning if Valley North makes Tuesday’s championship game, Kunes can pitch if his arm is up to it.

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American Legion Baseball State Tournament

Saturday’s First-Round Results at Cleve Borman Field, Yountville

El Segundo 10, Ontario 5

Valley North 11, Palo Alto 2

Stockton Karl Ross 12, Auburn 2

* Today’s Games

9 a.m., Ontario vs. Palo Alto (loser eliminated)

Noon, Auburn vs. El Segundo (Auburn faces elimination)

3 p.m. Valley North vs. Stockton Karl Ross