La Mirada’s Blake Wilson makes a pitch from the windup on Tuesday. (Presidio Sports Photo)
A group of fourteen seniors made its final curtain call for Santa Barbara High’s baseball team on Tuesday as the Dons fell 10-0 to visiting La Mirada in the second round of the CIF-ss Division-2 playoffs.
The Dons bowed out after having come from behind to win twice already in this postseason.
Santa Barbara High’s Zach Torres comes into to shallow right field to catch a pop-up over teammate Toby Minehan.
“We had a great season,” said Dons shortstop John Brontsema. “We played well all season. This is just one of those games where nothing went right no matter what and that’s why the score ended up like it was.”
The Dons were still in the hunt until a series of semi-fluke hits led to a six-run top-of-the-seventh inning for La Mirada.
Blake Wilson pitched a six-hit shutout for La Mirada, extending his scoreless innings streak to 14 innings. The effort advances La Mirada to Friday’s quarterfinals where it will face Los Osos, 6-2 winners over Northwood.
Wilson was making his CIF pitching debut.
“I’m damn proud of him,” said Matadores head coach Kim Brooks. “He’s really starting to understand how good he can be.”
The right-handed junior said the difference is his confidence is his off-speed pitches.
“Before I had trouble throwing my curve ball for a strike. Now it’s more consistent,” Wilson said.
The Matadores took a 2-0 lead in the third inning, added two more in the fifth, and tacked on six more in the top of the seventh.
For La Mirada, Johnny Hills and Drew Murray each drove an RBI double to the left-center gap. Justin Knight provided a two-run single in the top of the seventh.
The Dons scattered their six hits throughout the lineup with six different players getting hits. All six were seniors: Tanner Guerra, Bowen Fredericks, Brontsema, Connor McManigal, Michael Day and Jeff Paschke.
Dons head coach Fred Warrecker put it into perspective.
“You have to think about the good things,” Warrecker said. “We finished 18-9 and got to the second round.”
“There’s just some days, it ain’t your day baby.”
LA MIRADA 10, SANTA BARBARA 0
La Mirada 002 020 6 – 10 10 1
Santa Barbara 000 000 0 – 0 6 4
LM – Wilson, and Murray. SB – Grandcolas, McManigal (5), Smith (7), and Sabado.
2B – Murray, Hills
