Tony Altobelli
COSTA MESA - One big inning and one gigantic inning did in the
Costa Mesa High baseball team in Monday's 15-4 at-large loss in the Costa
Mesa-Foothill Tournament to visiting Mater Dei.
In a matchup of two undefeated teams, the Mustangs (6-1) hung tough
with the Monarchs (7-0), ranked No. 2 in CIF Southern Section Division II
before a nine-run sixth inning blew a 6-4 Mater Dei lead wide open.
"I think they knew they were in a baseball game for five innings,"
Mesa Coach Kirk Bauermeister said. "The biggest thing I was proud of was
that they earned the win. We didn't make mistakes and give away runs. Our
pitchers threw strikes and they hit it hard."
Mustangs' catcher Dan Hunter sparked Mesa's offense. The senior came
through with an RBI double in the first and followed that up with a
two-run single in the third.
"He's been hitting like that all year long," Bauermeister said. "When
there's runners on, he seems to find a way to get them home."
Hunter's two hits improved his team-leading batting average to .643,
while his three RBIs increase his team-leading total to 10.
Mater Dei flexed its muscles early, jumping out to a 4-0 first-inning
lead. Michael Mercado, C.J. Cook and Daniel Perales came through with
three straight doubles, driving in all four runs.
The Mustangs managed to cut into the lead in the bottom of the first
when junior Nick Cabico, who transferred from Costa Mesa to Mater Dei his
sophomore year before returning back to Mesa, reached with a single to
center field, stole second and scored on Hunter's single to center.
Mater Dei got that run back in the second inning when leadoff hitter
Andy Castillo was hit with a pitch, stole second and scored on a two-out
double off the left-field fence by Sergio Santos.
From there Mesa right-hander Brent Sevens settled down and pitched
effectively. Following Santos' double, the senior retired seven of the
next nine batters he faced.
Mesa got a little closer in the third inning when senior Mike
Armstrong led off with an infield single and went to second when senior
Josh Feldman walked.
After a one-out grounder moved the runners to second and third, Hunter
sent a 2-1 fastball into center, scoring both runners and making the
score, 4-3.
The Monarchs started to flex their muscles in the fifth when catcher
Michael Mercado homered deep into left field for a 5-3 lead.
Left-hander Ryan Costelloe came into the game and ended the inning by
coaxing a 4-6-3 double play, keeping the score, 5-3.
