In the past 24 hours, I've seen Wilson High's softball team and Poly's baseball team engineer final-inning rallies, only to lose first-round CIF playoff games in heartbreaking fashion.
On Thursday, it appeared - for a moment, anyway - Wilson had come back to beat visiting Rio Mesa in Division II on a seventh-inning, two-run home run from Hannah Duarte. The ball landed in front of Rio Mesa's right fielder, then bounced - or deflected, it wasn't completely clear - into dead ball territory as the Bruins circled the bases. According to the Joe Rodgers Field ground rules, any ball that lands in that area is automatically a ground-rule double, meaning both runners had to return to the base paths and both runs came off the board.
After an intentional walk to load the bases, Wilson's Loren Stavrou hit the ball hard, but right to the third baseman who threw to first to end the game, 1-0.
On Friday, Poly also found itself trailing by a run in the bottom of the seventh of its Division I game with Huntington Beach. And like Wilson the day before, the Jackrabbits found a way to load the bases with two outs. Unfortunately, Poly had the same outcome as its crosstown rival, a season-ending 2-1 loss at home.
Both claimed outright Moore League titles this season after long droughts, and both deserved a better postseason fate.
Recently in Baseball Category
CIF-SS PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Baseball
First Round at 3:15 p.m.
Today
Division 2
Placentia Valencia at Mayfair
Friday
Division 1
Capistrano Valley at Los Alamitos
Huntington Beach at Poly
Wilson at Newbury Park
Marina at Lakewood
Division 3
Paramount at California
Rialto at Gahr
Santa Monica at Downey
Warren at Rancho Alamitos
Division 5
San Jacinto at Valley Christian
Division 6
St. Anthony at St. Margaret's
Division 7
Marywood PV at Firebaugh
Softball
First Round at 3:15 p.m.
Today
Division 1
Upland at Los Alamitos
Division 2
Millikan at San Clemente
Oxnard at Cerritos
Dana Hills at Lakewood
Rio Mesa vs. Wilson at Joe Rodgers Stadium
Beckman at La Mirada
Mayfair at Cajon
Division3
Paramount at Atascadero
Heritage at Downey
Oak Park at Warren
St. Joseph at St. Lucy's
Division 4
Calvary Murrieta at Valley Christian
Division 6
S.G. Mission vs. Whitney at Cerritos Sports Complex
Hesperia Christian at Downey Calvary Chapel
Division 7
Trinity Classical Academy at St. Matthias
Avalon at Viewpoint
Academy of A&E at Firebaugh
Lakewood ace Shane Watson got the the best of Wilson counterpart Chase DeJong as the Lancers won the Moore League showdown 1-0 at Blair Field on Friday Night.
Watson (2-0) shut out Wilson on just three hits and struck out four, and DeJong (3-1) allowed one run on four hits and struck out 12 in the highly anticipated pitchers' duel.
Lakewood scored the game's lone run in the sixth inning. Danny Kaeka singled with two outs and Nick Reeser followed with a hit-and-run double down the left-field line to plate Kaeka with what turned out to be the game-winning run.
P-T TOP 10
Baseball
1. Lakewood
2. Wilson
3. Poly
4. St. John Bosco
5. Mayfair
6. Gahr
7. Paramount
8. Los Alamitos
9. Warren
10. Bellflower
Two-time Mayfair Dream Teamer Jordan Aboites took his official trip to Arizona State over the weekend to see where he'll be playing baseball for the next four years.
The Monsoons standout took a tour of the school, the baseball facilities and was a guest at the Sun Devils' football team's victory over Colorado Saturday night. He also ran into former Wilson Dream Team and current ASU baseball standout Zach Wilson.
"I had a great time and was impressed with everything I saw out in Tempe this weekend," Aboites said. "The crowd was really into the football game. I can't wait to be a part of this university, but I'm going to do everything I can to help Mayfair win as many baseball games as I can this year."
- Brian Baiotto
The Jordan baseball program is hosting a carwash Saturday (Oct. 15) from 9 a.m. to noon in the driveway directly in front of the main entrance to the schoo (6500 Atlantic Ave.) It's a $5 donation for the carwash. And here's the best part, coach Mark Prager will personally wash your car if you request it.
The other day we told you that Wilson pitcher Chase DeJong made the American 18U baseball roster for the upcoming COPABE AAA/18U Junior Pan American Championships.
Well, the Bruins hit a double as freshman Chris Betts made the 14U roster.
The tournament is scheduled in Novmember in Colombia.
About the Bloggers
Prep Sports Editor Dave Werstine has worked in and around the greater Long Beach area covering high school sports since the mid-1980s. Dave sums up his own athletic career as a "Jack of all trades and a master of none." Whether the ball is kicked, hit or thrown, Dave enjoys being part of it. If you have game, e-mail opinions, story ideas or news tips to dave.werstine@dailybreeze.com.
David Felton is a lifelong sports fan who began covering prep athletics in 1990. He's lived and worked in Long Beach since 2000 and has developed a deep respect and appreciation for the athletic history of this community. Email him at dave.felton@dailybreeze.com.
Robert Morales began covering prep sports in the greater Long Beach area in 2007. When a local football coach asked him how he felt about reporting on preps after many years of covering boxing, auto racing and various other sports, he replied, "Hey, if I'm going to cover prep sports anywhere, I'm glad it's this area because of the level of athletics, the intensity displayed by the athletes and coaches and the support of the community." Email him at robert.morales@dailybreeze.com.
