Jack Pezzolo delivered a standout performance Thursday afternoon, leading the Cardinal Newman Cardinals to a commanding 12-1 victory over Ukiah at Clyde Smith Field. The senior not only drove in four runs on two crucial hits but also delivered a dominant showing on the mound, striking out 13 Wildcat batters across five innings of work.

Pezzolo's offensive contributions began early, as his single to center field in the second inning plated a run, giving Cardinal Newman a 3-1 lead. He added a sacrifice fly in the fourth and capped off his night with a clutch two-run double during a seven-run fifth inning.

On the mound, Pezzolo was nearly untouchable. Despite surrendering a solo home run to Ukiah's George Gibbs in the second inning, the left-hander allowed just two hits and one run while walking one.

After falling behind 1-0 in the second, the Cardinals responded in the bottom half of the inning. Jacob Wood's sacrifice fly tied the game, followed by a wild pitch that brought in the go-ahead run. Pezzolo's RBI single gave Cardinal Newman a 2 run lead heading into the third.

In the fifth inning the Cardinals put the game away. Matai Fa'agata started the rally with a two-run double, followed by RBI hits from Wood, Pezzolo, Miles St. Clair, and Jamie Vozaitis, who doubled to score the final run of the inning.

Ukiah's Takoda Newman took the loss, pitching four innings and giving up four runs on five hits while striking out three. Cardinal Newman's bullpen, anchored by Anthony Azevedo and Caden Owen, was lights-out, combining for two shutout innings.

In all the Cardinals racked up 15 hits in the game, with Wood, Vozaitis, Chase Bromstad, Pezzolo, and Mason Farrell each collecting two.

Ukiah struggled to find offensive rhythm against Pezzolo's dominant pitching, with Gibbs opposite field solo home run serving as their only highlight.

The win improves Cardinal Newman's record to 2-2 as they look ahead to their next matchup on Saturday against Valley Christian in San Jose.