Marysville pitcher AJ Cordova throws a pitch in the Drakes’ 6-1 win against Vallejo on Friday, July 5.

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - The Marysville Drakes of the Pecos League continued their winning ways and control their own destiny toward a playoff run as the season dwindles down at the end of this month. 

Marysville went 4-1 from Tuesday, July 2, through Saturday, July 6, and 8-2 in their previous 10 contests.

The Drakes clearly turned the page from their 3-7 start at the beginning of the season to be in the second spot of the Pacific Division standings at the end of the first weekend in July with a 22-15 record as play concluded on July 6.

 Marysville infielder Declan Peterson hits a ball during the Drakes’ 6-1 victory on Friday, July 5, against Vallejo.

The Marysville manager expressed to MPG that they are coming into the ballpark on a daily basis with a great confident attitude.

“We expect to win now,” Rogan said.

Rogan added that the play of infielder Josh Leslie has added to the overall confidence of the entire team. Leslie was acquired by Marysville in the second week of June after he was released by the Yolo High Wheelers of the Pioneer League towards the end of May.

 Marysville infielder Josh Leslie fields and throws a ball to first base on Friday, July 5, in the Drakes’ 6-1 win.

In the 22 games Leslie has played in a Drakes uniform up to July 6, he had a batting average of .336, hit 25 runs-batted-in (RBIs) and has made multiple defensive web gems from the infield.

Marysville outfielder Drake Ayala connects with a pitch during the Drakes’ 6-5 victory against Martinez on Wednesday, July 3. 

Rogan told MPG Leslie shouldn’t be in the Pecos League, but he is blessed to have him on the roster as he is an asset to the team in multiple ways.

Although his play on the field is phenomenal, Rogan said that Leslie is a great teammate.

“He may not be the rah rah guy, but you see him throughout the night giving pointers here and there,” Rogan said. “He’s a leader by example.”

Leslie’s teammates are a huge support system as when he makes one of those SportsCenter top 10 plays on the field, they are right there to let everyone in the stands and the opposing team know that you made a mistake hitting the ball in Leslie’s direction.

 Marysville pitcher Rodrigo Sanchez tosses a pitch in the Drakes’ 6-5 win on Wednesday, July 3, against Martinez. 

Marysville silenced the Martinez Sturgeon in the first two games of the week from July 2 to 3. July 3 was a historical night for the leader of the Drakes team as infielder Declan Peterson got his 100th career hit in the Pecos League.

Peterson is in his fourth season and second in Marysville, but has also been coached by Rogan throughout his entire Pecos League career.

Rogan and Peterson both joked with MPG that they come as a package deal and they are stuck with one another, but it hasn’t been an easy ride for Peterson in the Pecos League. 

Injuries plagued and put Peterson on the injury list a lot last season for his first year on the Drakes, but the leadership skills he displays on and off the field make it no question he is the leader of the clubhouse.

Peterson got his 100th career hit on a bunt in the later innings of the Marysville win against Martinez on July 3. Postgame, Peterson laughed and joked that Rogan knew he was on career number 99, so he was going to have him bunt every at-bat until he got to 100.

Peterson told MPG that it wasn’t much of a thought until Rogan brought it up that he was creeping towards the milestone a couple weeks ago. He added that it’s a great accomplishment and he was able to enjoy telling his family and former coaches that he appreciated the opportunities they gave him.

Rogan expressed to MPG that Peterson is a “glue guy,” who is a person that just does anything to help you win.

“He’s always positive, always working and upbeat,” Rogan said. He added that Peterson is a clutch player because whenever you need a run or a key play done, Peterson is the player who would do whatever is best for the team to get the successful play.

The only loss for the Drakes came on July 6 at San Rafael in a 2-0 loss. Marysville had 17 games left in the regular season on Sunday, July 7, and had seven more victories ahead of the fourth place in the Pacific Division standings for the final playoff spot. 

Also on July 7, the Pecos League Pacific Division All-Star teams were announced, as Marysville had seven representatives named. Pitchers Garret Mos, Michael Vochelli, Bryan Krolikowski, Earl Johnson Jr.; infielders Josh Leslie, Jumpei Ohashi; and outfielder Joe Starick were named to the team as they are scheduled to play the game this weekend on Sunday, July 14, in Martinez at Waterfront Park with first pitch at 2 p.m.