Pirates Power Past Napa Valley in Home Opener

Modesto, CA — January 24, 2025

The Modesto Junior College Pirates opened their 2025 campaign with a commanding 9-3 victory over Napa Valley, highlighted by a late-game offensive outburst. After a back-and-forth contest through seven innings, the Pirates exploded for six runs in the bottom of the eighth to break a 3-3 tie and secure the win. Ny'Zaiah Thompson and Adam Alharbi led the offensive charge, with Alharbi delivering a bases-clearing triple that proved to be the game's decisive moment.

Modesto jumped to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning as Kenyon Sanders' two-run single plated Thompson and Titus Wheelock. A wild pitch in the fourth brought Tyler Dorn home, giving the Pirates a 3-0 advantage. Napa Valley battled back in the sixth and seventh innings, with Madden May and Shosei Tatsuno combining for three RBIs to tie the game. However, the Pirates responded emphatically in the eighth, with Thompson's RBI hit-by-pitch and Alharbi's three-RBI triple igniting the rally. Wheelock and Marcus Perez added back-to-back doubles to extend the lead to 9-3.

On the mound, Dustin Tinsley delivered a stellar performance, tossing six innings of one-run ball while striking out five. Kannon Sharpe earned the win in relief, keeping Napa Valley off the board in the eighth inning. The Pirates' offense tallied 12 hits, with standout performances from Thompson (2-for-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI) and Sanders (2-for-4, 2 RBIs). With their season-opening win, the Pirates showcased their depth and determination as they look ahead to a promising season.

 

Photo credit to @soulxshots