With a solid of principally freshmen and sophomores, it was fairly an accomplishment for the Pacifica Christian Orange County Excessive baseball crew to make the CIF Southern Part Division 8 championship recreation.
As soon as the Tritons bought there Saturday, they ran right into a senior who was too robust for the pile.
Josh Torres pitched a complete-game, two-hitter to steer No. 2 seed Azusa to a 5-0 victory over top-seeded Pacifica Christian at Diamond Stadium in Lake Elsinore.
Torres recorded 12 batters for the Aztecs in what Pacifica Christian coach Chris Gomez referred to as a “buzz noticed” efficiency. He improved to 9-1 this season.
“He's been doing all of it yr,” Azusa coach Albert Sanchez stated of Torres. “He threw out a few hitters, however on this large recreation. [against] a crew like Pacifica in all probability not. This was far more thrilling.”
Pacifica Christian third baseman Scout Escobedo, left, and pitcher John Coopman focus on technique throughout Saturday's CIF Southern Part 8 championship recreation in Lake Elsinore.
(Courtesy of Brooklyn Motske)
Freshman Scout Escobedo, the hero in Tuesday's CIF semifinal win over San Bernardino, had each hits for the Tritons (22-7).
Azusa (18-5), which received its second CIF baseball title with a runner-up in 1983, put up 4 runs within the backside of the primary inning in opposition to Pacifica Christian sophomore starter John Coopman. Isaac Miranda had a run-scoring triple on a hard-hit ball to proper that also in all probability may have been caught, Jacob Elliot had an RBI single and Oscar Rojas added a sacrifice fly.
The inning started when Torres, the leadoff hitter, reached on an infield error.
“I don't suppose there have been that many balls that had been hit that tough,” Gomez stated. “We didn't play the very best protection like we're used to on the again.” [Coopman]however he was combating on a regular basis. He by no means hung his head, he fought on a regular basis. I'm actually pleased with him, however we've seen all of it yr and we anticipate nothing much less from him.”
The four-round lead was nonetheless greater than sufficient for Azusa and Torres, who pounded the strike zone and infrequently took benefit of a flowery break within the serve. The Aztecs added their fifth run within the backside of the fifth inning when Zach Huizar was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored on Elliott's second hit of the day.
“The pitcher was giving us fastballs and we had been hitting fastballs,” Elliot stated. “That's been our strategy on the plate all season, we will't simply depart that fastball up.
Coopman, who settled down at one level to retire eight straight batters, went 5 innings earlier than Jon Stone pitched the sixth for the Tritons.
San Joaquin League co-champion Pacifica Christian, shut out for simply the second time this season, tried to get going within the seventh. Escobedo laced a one-out single up the center earlier than Coopman walked. However Torres drew a foul down the primary bottom line earlier than incomes his twelfth strikeout to finish it.
First baseman Blake Hayes (2), who hit a double in opposition to San Bernardino on Tuesday, has been the catalyst all season for the Pacifica Christian Orange County Excessive baseball crew.
(Don Leach / Workers Photographer)
“I really feel like I did it on the market. [corner]Torres stated. “It labored rather a lot, getting them to attempt to shorten the fastball after which having the ability to simply pound the off-speed zone, get them off stability and never know what's coming.
The Tritons are nonetheless having a really profitable season by any metric, advancing to their first CIF title recreation of their third season as a varsity program. Six freshmen began Saturday — Escobedo, shortstop Blake Hayes, middle fielder John Peterson, designated hitter Jude Dravecky, proper fielder Luke Miller and second baseman Rowen Gale.
“We've come actually, actually far in a very brief period of time, so I couldn't be extra pleased with these guys, the scenario they've put themselves in to be in these strain conditions,” stated Gomez, who had a 16-year profession in Main League Baseball. “That is incredible and we are going to proceed to develop and enhance this factor.” I anticipate these guys to be again right here quickly.”
Escobedo, for one, can't watch for the chance.
“We’ve got three extra years to construct this program as teammates, as human beings, as younger males,” he stated. “We all know the longer term is shiny for Pacifica.
Pacifica Christian additionally certified for the CIF State Southern California Regional playoffs, which start Could 28.
Pacifica Christian's Luke Miller (17) throws in opposition to San Bernardino on Tuesday.
(Don Leach / Workers Photographer)
