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Territorial Dispatch

Drakes Open Season with Split Record

May 29, 2024 02:58PM ● By Steven Bryla
Marysville Mayor Chris Branscum tosses the ceremonial first pitch at Bryant Stadium for the Drakes season opener on Wednesday, May 22. Photo by Chris Pedigo


MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - The Marysville Drakes opened their second season as members of the Pecos League and went 2-2 to open the 2024 season.

Marysville hosted the Vallejo Seaweed on opening night, Wednesday, May 22, at Bryant Field where a big third inning for Vallejo ended up being the big difference in the game to spoil opening night for the Drakes.

After Marysville went and lost on the road on May 23 as the defending Pecos League champions (San Rafael), they picked up their first victory of the season on Friday, May 24, in an 11-4 victory against Martinez.

In the opening week finale on Saturday, May 25, right-handed pitcher Michael Vochelli mowed down the Dublin Leprechauns through the first four innings of shutout baseball.

Dublin shot their best chance in the fifth inning as they took a 5-4 lead in the top half of the inning but their luck quickly ran out as the Drakes snatched the lead back in the bottom of the fifth. 

Dublin made a late charge in the top-of-the-ninth as Marysville left-handed pitcher Tim Nichols was on the hill, but the hard-throwing lefty got the save.

Marysville pitcher Tim Nichols

 Marysville pitcher Tim Nichols (15) fist pumps after securing the win for the Drakes’ 11-10 win against Dublin on Saturday, May 25. Photo by Steven Bryla


Drakes manager Bill Rogan expressed to the Dispatch in the early part of the season, he is happy with the way his team battles night in and night out. 

He added that even when they have been down in their games so far, they continue to grind it out and give it their best shot.

With this being the second season for Marysville baseball, about half of the roster returned from last season and they are happy to be back in the area. 

Drakes infielder Declan Peterson, who is in his fourth professional season and has spent all four seasons with Rogan as his manager previously with Sante Fe (2021-22) told the Dispatch that Rogan is the best manager in the Pecos League at being meticulous.

Peterson added that the attention to detail comes from Rogan’s love for the game.

Peterson said it was a no-brainer to come back to Marysville for a second season as he had a great host family last season and wants to redeem and contribute more than last season as he got hurt in the first week of the season last year.

As a veteran of the Pecos League, Peterson has been around good and bad ball-club environments and said that with this year’s Drakes team was easy to integrate the newer players with the returners from last season.

“I’ve seen what Bill looks out for and is keen on,” Peterson said. “We’re all serious, but we like to have a good time, too, so it’s been a good start.”

One of the newcomers to the Drakes this season is former Gold Sox first baseman Chris Cook.

Marysville Chris Cook Drakes Dublin

 Marysville first baseman Chris Cook (23) swings at a pitch in the Drakes’ 11-10 victory over Dublin on Saturday, May 25. Photo by Steven Bryla


Cook told the Dispatch it was great to be playing back in Marysville, and the second-year guys welcomed the newcomers with open arms.

“It took a bit throughout the first day, but we are a family already,” Cook said.

Rogan said that one of the best things he’s seen from the Drakes so far is that they aren’t “stat hogs.”

“If you have a good ball club the stats will be there at the end of the year,” Rogan said.

The Drakes hit the road for a four-game road trip this past week before they are scheduled to host Dublin tonight (Friday) and Bakersfield tomorrow.

First pitch for the home games is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Marysville catcher JD Leslie Drakes Dublin

 Marysville catcher JD Leslie (10) connects for a base hit during the Drakes’ 11-10 victory against Dublin on Saturday, May 25. Photo by Steven Bryla


Marysville Thomas Latham Drakes Dublin

 Marysville infielder Thomas Latham (33) fields a high chopper in the Drakes’ 11-10 win over Dublin on Saturday, May 25. Photo by Steven Bryla