San Marcos has turned from baseball bottom-feeder to league-title contender in Rob Crawford’s first year as coach, but that didn’t take any sting out of Dos Pueblos’ home loss to the Royals back on March 27th.
Johnny Corazza and the host Chargers stung back on Tuesday, dominating the Royals 9-1 to become the first Channel League team to reach five wins. With the race for the conference crown tighter than Albert Pujols in a little league jersey, that’s a big deal.
Corazza, a sophomore who has had to fight for playing time, picked up a clutch bases-clearing double with two outs in the bottom of the second to give DP a 3-0 lead. The Chargers racked up 13 hits total on the day, while San Marcos could only muster three singles.
“If we get two-out hits we’re going to win,” said coach Nate Mendoza. “That was a big hit… I’ve been waiting for those bats to come out in a league game.”
All three of DP’s extra-base hits came with two down. Dane Limosnero had a ground-rule double with two outs in the third inning and big Ryan Ventura belted a three-run homer with two outs in the fourth to end the day’s scoring.
Bradley Tirador pitched a solid five innings for the Chargers, allowing the three singles and San Marcos’ only run. He struck out three and walked two before being relieved by Michael Spiritosanto. Dane Limosnero, who hasn’t pitched all season, came in and walked the first two San Marcos batters in the seventh before retiring the next three.
The Royals (12-9, 3-4) collected all three of their hits in the third, with Alex Price scoring the lone run on a single by Victor Acevedo.
Crawford acknowledged that his team’s earlier win at DP (11-10, 5-3) may have been a factor.
“I think so, because they came out fired up,” he said. “They took advantage of some early mistakes and piled it on a little bit. We talk about playing with confidence, and I think what happens with us is that we get down a little bit and it’s hard for us to bounce back.”
The coach also added that he thinks a 7-5 record will win the league title.
“We’re one game away from that fifth loss. Knowing that that’s kind of the way it’s going, we’re still in it.”
DP’s Ventura has a pretty simple approach in mind for how the Chargers can stay on top.
“We’re gonna keep swinging, play defense, pitch and do what we do,” he said.
DP travels to play at Ventura on Thursday before heading to San Marcos for a rematch on Friday.
DOS PUEBLOS 9, SAN MARCOS 1
San Marcos…001 000 0 — 1 3 2
Dos Pueblos…032 400 X — 9 13 0
Cavalier, Wieland (3), Gostow (6) and RMoore; Tirador, Spiritosanto (6), Limosnero (7) and Salas, Huthsing.
2B — DP: Corazza, Limosnero. HR — DP: Ventura (4th inn. 2 on).
Team records — SM: 12-9, 3-4; DP 11-10, 5-3.
