Cate shortstop George Luo throws out a runner on Tuesday during a CIF playoff game. (Presidio Sports Photo)
Cate couldn’t get past Pacifica Christian’s Austin Cortina and his endless supply of elusive curveballs on Tuesday, as the Rams fell 2-1 to the Sea Wolves in the second round of Division 7 CIF playoffs.
Cortina threw curveball after curveball and hit the catcher’s mitt for strike three 11 times. He pitched a complete-game two-hitter and the only run he allowed was unearned.
Pacifica Christian's Austin Cortina tossed a two-hitter with 11 strikeouts.
“It was tough because we haven’t seen a lot of good curves (this year),” said Rams center fielder Robert Fairbanks. “We were trying to make the adjustment but we just didn’t have time.”
Cate’s starting pitcher Jackson Mauze made it a pitching duel, also recording a complete game while striking out seven. Mauze allowed one earned run.
“I was just trying to throw strikes,” Mauze said.
The unearned run came in the top of the sixth.
Mauze hit Cortina – in the head – to put the leadoff runner on. Then Tucie Shelp reached on an error before Cate recorded its first out. But an ensuing walk loaded the bases and Shelp scored the winning run when the Rams committed a throwing error on a pick off attempt.
“We thought the guy was coming down on us too far. If we pick him off it’s a great play,” said Rams head coach Ben Soto. “The guy could have scored on the next play anyways. We took a shot.”
Cate scored first, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning.
Fairbanks was able to knock in George Luo for Cate’s lone run. The Rams scored without recording a hit as Luo got on base with a walk. After stealing second, a ground ball from Mauze moved Luo to third. Another grounder from Fairbanks should have been the third out, but an error allowed Cate’s run to score.
Cate senior Jackson Mauze
The Rams loaded the bases in the second inning but their chances dried up as the game progessed.
Cortina struck out the side in the sixth inning and retired the final 11 batters he faced. Eight of the final 11 were set down on strikes.
“The last three innings were probably my best innings, I don’t know,” Cortina said. “Usually I’ll get tired and they take me out after I get to a certain amount of pitches. I just kept going. I felt better at the end actually.”
Shelp scored and also knocked in Pacifica Christian’s first run on a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Kevin Hammer.
Cate finishes its season with a 15-3 record. The Sea Wolves continue on to face the winner between Rolling Hills Prep and Riverside Prep.
PACIFICA CHRISTIAN 2, CATE
Pacifica Christian…000 101 0 – 2 4 2
Cate…001 000 0 – 1 2 2
Greg Cusack is forced out at second base in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Justin Lucchesi throws to the cutoff man after catching Tucie Shelp's sacrifice fly in the fourth inning.
Cate senior Robert Fairbanks leads off at second base after leading off the inning with one of Cate's two hits.
