Sam Marshall got some lousy run-support, but it was good enough.
The San Marcos ace pitched a complete-game shutout Tuesday in the Royals’ 1-0 victory over visiting Ventura.
Coach Rob Crawford called it “the most meaningful game we’ve played in a long time” considering it was crucial in keeping the Royals’ playoff hopes alive.
Marshall struck out three, hit a batter and walked another in the gritty performance. The Cougars loaded the bases in the first and had runners in scoring position in each of the first four frames, but Marshall escaped the jam each time.
“Our defense made some plays that really turned some innings around,” said Crawford, who mentioned in particular a play by shortstop Victor Acevedo in the seventh that was one of the best plays the coach has seen all year.
Landon Boneck led off the sixth with a double, and Alex Price turned a sacrifice bunt into an infield single to get Boneck to third. Andy McCumber then scored Boneck on a deep fly ball.
San Marcos (13-11, 4-6) plays at Santa Barbara on Wednesday and finishes out the regular season Thursday at Ventura. If they don’t beat the Dons, the Royals will have to beat the Cougars and Santa Barbara will have to beat DP on Thursday to give Crawford’s team a CIF berth.
“The math is goofy… We just gotta play and let it happen. I thought our guys played better tonight under pressure than they have before,” said Crawford.
SAN MARCOS 1, VENTURA 0
Ventura…000 000 0 — 0 4 2
San Marcos…000 001 X — 1 4 1
Dougherty and Castro; Marshall and RMoore. WP — Marshall (4-3).
2B — SM: Boneck.
