Nick Stathopoulos pitched a complete game one-hitter and the do-or-die San Marcos baseball team got it done on Thursday, taking down host Ventura 6-1 to force a rematch at noon Friday against the Cougars.
The winner of that game will face Santa Barbara in the later in the afternoon with a trip to the postseason on the line.
“It was a combination of great defense and great pitching today,” said coach Rob Crawford. “We came out swinging the bats, which have been a bit anemic in the past couple of weeks.”
The Royals (14-12, 5-7) were aggressive from the get-go, scoring five runs in the first two innings. Alex Price led off with a single and stole second before scoring on a base hit from Riley Moore. Moore then stole second and scored on a double by Pat Cavalier, who then cashed in on a single by Victor Acevedo.
Landon Boneck reached on a dropped third strike in the second inning, then stole second and scored on a Price single. Price then came around on a Moore double off of the fence in center field.
Stathopoulos, meanwhile, struck out seven and walked a pair.
Crawford said that the Royals are confident heading into Friday’s rematch, as Shane Wieland will be taking the mound. Should the Royals make it to the second game, a JV call-up may get the start. Both games are at Santa Barbara’s Eddie Mathews Field.
“It’s been a tough road and we’re thankful to be where we are. Our seniors have never played in a playoff game, and we consider this the playoffs,” said the coach.
Ventura is now 9-19, 5-7.
SAN MARCOS 6, VENTURA 1
San Marcos…320 000 1 — 6 9 2
Ventura…000 010 0 — 1 1 0
Stathopoulos and RMoore; Griffith, Wasden (2), Sullivan (7) and Castro. WP — Stathopoulos (3-2).
2B — SM: RMoore, Cavalier. V: Castro.
