Bishop Diego’s Tessa Johansen hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, providing the Cardinals’ only run in a 6-1 Tri-Valley loss to Grace Brethren Thursday.
Grace Brethren freshman pitcher Rosy Salazar gave up just three hits — two by Johansen, who also hit a double — and no walks in a complete game.
Madeline Ferries went the distance for the Cardinals, giving up seven hits, five earned runs, and striking out four.
Bishop Diego is now 0-5 in league play and 6-7 overall. Grace Brethren is 2-1 and 5-3.
Boys tennis: Thacher 17, Bishop Diego 1
Singles player Aaron Bush scored the Cardinals’ only point with a 6-3 set win in round 3 of the match against Thacher.
“Aaron is playing way more aggressively now,” Bishop coach Pete Kirkwood said. “No more just rallying it around. It paid dividends in that third round match. At 5-3 he came to the net behind every return and his opponent netted all four of the balls giving him the set.”
Cardinals single player Brennan Kaufman “played with more energy today and was ‘going for it more,’” Kirkwood said. “He too had some fine points at net, as well as some great approach shots that his opponent hit some great passing shots on.”
Overall, “We may have had our serves broken a few times today but not our spirit. We fight on, steadily improve and wait our turn to be rewarded with a win.
“What is important is that we continue to rank the effort above the prize! Love the battle. Keep building camaraderie and have fun competing.”