By MARTY JAMES martyjames.sports@gmail.com

Derek Mayer is going about honoring the sophomores on the Napa Valley College baseball team a little bit differently this year. Instead of a traditional "Sophomore Day," prior to the Storm's final home game, Mayer and his staff will take time to recognize those players at a team event, following the regular season, on May 3.

"We'll have a 'Sophomore Day' next Friday, to celebrate the guys putting in all the hard work over the past couple of years. It will be a nice catered party to send them off to their next destination," said Mayer, who's in his first year as the Storm's head coach.

Seven sophomores were in the lineup for Napa Valley's last home game, a 19-0 Bay Valley Conference loss on Thursday to Solano Community College-Fairfield, at Storm Field. It was partly cloudy with temperatures in the high 60s and windy conditions. The game was called in the eighth inning due to the conference's run rule.

The Storm's sophomores, said Mayer, have brought a great attitude and work ethic to the program. "There was an adjustment period, but they brought in kind of that grittiness, a lot of savvy, and just the go-hard type attitude," said Mayer. "So, needless to say, their part in this is paramount.

"The goal is to get them experience and then move them on to the next program."

Napa Valley was held to two hits by Solano's starter, Mateo Santos, who was masterful in getting the win, going the distance, striking out 10 and walking just one while facing 26 batters.

"(Santos) was nails today. He was throwing hard, hitting his spots, throwing multiple pitches for strikes. He was impressive," said Mayer.

Santos retired the first 11 batters he faced. Napa Valley's only hits came from Vincent Lencioni, on a double in the fourth inning, and William Tokar, on a single in the eighth inning.

Santos, a right-hander, faced only two batters over the minimum.

"He pitched really good. He's had some good outings his last few times out," said Solano head coach Scott Stover.

Only three batters reached base for Napa Valley (9-27 overall, 8-12 Bay Valley Conference), which has lost five in a row and is in fifth place in the league standings. The Storm is 2-8 over its last 10 games and closes out the season with a game today at Solano. It's the third and final game of the series.

Solano (25-13 overall, 15-5 Bay Valley Conference), tied for second place in the league, not only had the pitching, but the hitting as well – belting three home runs among its nine extra-base hits.

"They're a solid offensive team," said Mayer.

Solano, which has secured a spot in the California Community College Athletic Association Regionals, was led by Cameron Taylor, a Napa High School graduate, with two home runs. Connor Ross, also a graduate of Napa High, also homered for the Falcons, who had 16 hits overall.

Solano scored early, with two runs in both the first and second innings, exploding for six runs in the sixth inning, two more runs in the seventh inning, and scoring seven runs in the eighth inning.

Taylor transferred from Butte College-Oroville to Solano over the winter break.

"I've been waiting a long time for that result. It's just kind of the pinnacle of everything all coming together," said Taylor, a utility player, who was at first base. "I think patience and time is something that I'm learning. That's been my challenge this year, is being patient."

Taylor hit a solo home run, leading off the seventh inning. He hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning.

"He didn't get a lot of playing time in January. He struggled a little bit. He showed he belongs right now," said Stover. "I'm happy that he's coming around. Seeing him hit the ball hard is a positive thing for us, especially going into playoffs."

Taylor is batting .300 in 21 games.

Ross, the Falcons' third baseman, hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning.

Six players had multiple-hit games for Solano, which is 7-3 over its last 10 games.

Leading the Falcons:

Kevin Parker, 3-for-5, two doubles, RBI.

Rolando Ramos, 3-for-6, double, RBI.

Kyle Lewis, 3-for-4, triple, RBI.

Joseph Guttmann, 2-for-5, double, triple, seven RBIs.

Ross, 2-for-3, home run, three RBIs.

Taylor, 2-for-2, two home runs, four RBIs.

Miles Meadows, 1-for-4.

Aaron Strong, two RBIs. Solano announced on Twitter, @SCCFALCONS, on April 25, that Ross, a sophomore, has committed to play at California Baptist University. It's an NCAA-Division I school, located in Riverside, and plays in the Western Athletic Conference.

Ross is hitting .424 with six home runs, 53 RBIs, 47 runs scored and three stolen bases in 37 games.

Seth Vazquez started and took the loss for Napa Valley. Vazquez pitched six innings and faced 32 batters.

Diego Balderas Utrera and Christian Hernandez each threw one inning in relief.

NVC's pitching staff has been hit hard by injuries, as the Storm has been without Khyler Cabebe (elbow), Samuel Anderson (bicep tendonitis) and Bode Joyner (hamstring).

"It's been kind of tough the last few weeks, just with pitching. It just hasn't been there," said Mayer. "When it comes to pitching, we've been hit by the injury bug. When we look down the dugout, we've got limited options as far as the guys that can come in and throw strikes.

"The toughest part is finding the relief guys out of the (bullpen) to come in and throw strikes and keep us close."

Napa Valley had three errors in the game.

Solano and College of Marin-Kentfield are tied for second place. Los Medanos College-Pittsburg is in first place.

Mayer said he is looking to see Napa Valley compete at a high level in the season finale.

"Win, lose or draw, just compete at a high level for all nine innings. It seems like there's times where we do that to the best of our ability and then there's times where we don't, where it doesn't seem like we show up. But (Friday) being the last game against our rival, I think they're going to show up and they're not going to want to be embarrassed like today. So, I expect a full turnaround (Friday)," said Mayer.

* Marty James is a freelance writer who makes his home in Napa. He retired on June 4, 2019 after spending 40 years as a sports writer, sports editor and executive sports editor for the Napa Valley Register, a daily newspaper in Napa County. He is a 1979 graduate of Sacramento State and a member of the California Golf Writers & Broadcasters Association. He was inducted into the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Hall of Fame in 2016, the Vintage High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019, and the Napa High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.