Indians Drop Home Opener to Gridley
Mar 06, 2024 04:27PM ● By Steven Bryla
River Valley senior
Matthew Mashburn (13) connects with a ball in the Falcons’ 10-0 win over
Paradise on Monday, February 26. Photo by Chris Pedigo
MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - The Marysville Indians baseball team lost its home opener of the 2024 season as they lost 6-5 to the Gridley Bulldogs on Monday, February 26.
The game featured a battle of young lefties and first-year head coaches as Marysville freshman Julien Johnson tossed five solid innings in his first career varsity start by giving up three runs and striking out four. Johnson added a hit at the plate and scored two runs in the defeat.
For Gridley, sophomore Tanner Abbot pounded the zone through his four innings of work by striking out eight batters, giving up three runs overall on four hits and reaching base on a single in the third inning.

Sutter junior outfielder Carson Bishop (3) hits a double in the Huskies’ 14-4 victory over Argonaut on Tuesday, February 27. Photo by Chris Pedigo
Indians junior shortstop Benjamin Barajas led Marysville with three hits, including the first run batted in (RBI) for the Indians on the season as he smacked a double to right center.
The game was tied at four heading into the final inning where the Bulldogs added two runs with two outs and were able to hold onto the victory.
The Indians lost eight starters from a year ago and Head Coach Dominic Barriga expressed to the Dispatch that they are going to compete and fight throughout the season.
“I want to see us play together as a team in the preseason, so when we get to league, we are more complete,” Barriga said.
Marysville got their first win of the season on Tuesday, February 27, in a 13-6 victory over Grant.

Sutter senior infielder Logan Yacavace (4) hits a line drive in the Huskies’ 14-4 win over Argonaut on Tuesday, February 27. Photo by Chris Pedigo
Yuba City
The Yuba City Honkers split their opening week of play with a loss to the MaxPreps No.2 ranked team in the preseason of the Sac-Joaquin Section with a 15-0 shutout and rebounded with a victory on Wednesday, February 28 in a 13-12 win over Nevada Union.
Yuba City junior Brandon Pelechowucz got his first of four team-leading hits in the first part of the season in the win over Nevada Union, including a double and four RBI’s.
The Honkers are no strangers to scheduling tough in the preseason as they enter their last season in the tough Capital Valley Conference due to realignment beginning next school year. Yuba City is scheduled to host McClatchy tonight at 6 p.m.

Marysville junior
infielder Devon Lopes (9) swings the bat in the Indians’ 6-5 loss to Gridley on
Monday, February 26. Photo by Steven Bryla
River Valley
The River Valley Falcons have already doubled their total number of victories from last season as they went 1-1 last week with a win over Paradise and a 4-2 loss against Bear River.
River Valley sophomore catcher Matthew Martin led the Falcons with a double and three RBI’s in the victory over Paradise on Monday, February 26. Falcons senior pitcher Maddox McMains picked up the victory on the mound as he pitched three innings, struck out eight and didn’t give up a hit.
River Valley hosted Marysville yesterday and is scheduled to host Twelve Bridges tomorrow, March 9, at 11 a.m.

Marysville senior infielder Andrey Palomo (4) fields and throws a ball to first base in the Indians’ 6-5 defeat to Gridley on Monday, February 26. Photo by Steven Bryla
Sutter
The Sutter Huskies swept last week going 2-0 with victories over Argonaut and Dixon in the opening week of the 2024 season. The 2023 CIF SJS Division V and CIF Division IV NorCal Champions have some new faces on the field, but primarily have a healthy group of starters including Hawaii signee Jagger Beck on the mound.
In the opener against Argonaut on Tuesday, February 26, Beck fanned nine batters in four innings of work, didn’t give up a hit on throwing 78% strikes and is only a couple weeks removed from the hardwood from basketball playoffs as a multi-sport athlete like a lot of the students at Sutter.
Huskies senior outfielder/pitcher Rylan Giocannoni led Sutter in the week with five hits and tied with 2024 shortstop/pitcher Logan Yacavace for the team lead in RBI’s with five.
Sutter senior pitcher Kasey Combo pitched five innings of relief and allowed only three hits in picking up the win over Dixon.
The Huskies host a shared site tournament with Colusa and Gridley today and tomorrow before they open Pioneer Valley League play next week against Marysville.