Another Instant Classic: Northview wins 7-6, rallying from 6-4 down in the seventh
"We were three-outs away from relinquishing a league title we have won three years in a row. But the the heart of a champion came out. If you're going to beat us, you have to knock us out. They knocked us down a couple times today but we kept getting back up." -- Northview coach Darren Murphy.
"They went up, we fought back, they went up, we fought back, that's Northview-San Dimas. I love my guys. We will come back on Thursday with the same guys and do it again. We're not going to feel sorry for ourselves, that's for sure." -- San Dimas coach Mike Regan.
Game story: While the San Dimas High School baseball team ponders how it unraveled and loosened its grip on the Valle Vista League title chase, three-time defending league champion Northview found what it has desperately been searching for.
After scoring two runs to tie the score in the seventh inning, the Vikings pushed an unearned run across in the eighth inning to win it, 7-6. ""The swagger and the heart came back to life today," explained Vikings coach Darren Murphy. "It always seems like it takes a do-or-die situation to bring out the best in us."
San Dimas, three outs away from all but slamming the door shut on the Vikings' title hopes, couldn't hold a 6-4 lead.
Saints senior Kevin Ponzo relieved starting lefty Erik Salcido to close out the sixth inning, but in the seventh Vikings outfielder Kevin Jones led off with a walk and Richy Pedroza doubled.
A wild-pitch scored Jones, then Gabe Jaramillo's scoring fly to right brought in Pedroza to tie the score, 6-6.
"You can't give a good team extra opportunities," said Saints coach Mike Regan. "That's the bottom line. We didn't throw strikes when we needed to. We had the guy (Ponzo) we wanted in that situation throwing the ball, we just made some mistakes."
After Northview loaded the bases in the top of the eighth with no outs, the Saints nearly dug themselves out of it.
After a pop-out, Jones hit a potential inning-ending double-play ball back to Ponzo, who got the force out at home. But catcher Josh Leyland's throw to first skipped into right field, allowing Bernie Juarez to score from second for the eventual winning run.
The Saints didn't go quietly, loading the bases with two-outs in the seventh inning thanks to Leyland's fourth intentional walk. But Vikings relief pitcher Eddie Pedroza, who relieved starter Eric Ruvalcaba in the sixth, got Matt Thrall to pop-out to end the game.
After losing to San Dimas 9-6 in their first meeting, the Vikings (14-4, 8-1) will host the Saints (15-4, 9-1) in the rubber match on Thursday at Northview which will likely determine the league champion.
Northview, the defending CIF-SS Division IV champions, entered the week No. 2 in the polls with the Saints one back at No. 3.
"We were three-outs away from relinquishing a league title we have won three years in a row." Murphy said. "But the the heart of a champion came out. If you're going to beat us, you have to knock us out. They knocked us down a couple times today but we kept getting back up."
"When Eddie Pedroza came in to pitch I told him if he keeps it at 6-4 we're going to win. His confidence had been wavering, but I think he got his swagger back."
Before the Vikings rally, it was the Saints who kept climbing back, rallying from 2-0 down to tie the score 2-2 in the third inning.
Northview's Arnold Banuelos hit a two-run home run in the fourth to give the Vikings a 4-2 lead. In the bottom of the fifth, however, the Saints scored to make it 4-3, then freshman Sean Kennedy hit a bases-loaded double to drive in three runs, giving the Saints a 6-4 lead.
Saints leadoff hitter Thomas Jenson was 5-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored, but it wasn't enough.
"They went up, we fought back, they went up, we fought back, that's Northview-San Dimas," Regan explained. "I love my guys. We will come back on Thursday with the same guys and do it again. We're not going to feel sorry for ourselves, that's for sure."
Murphy talked about intentionally walking Leyland four times. The Washington State-bound slugger is batting. 576 with seven home runs and 24 RBIs.
With two outs and a runner on first in the eighth, Murphy walked Leyland to put the tying runner on second. After another walk loaded the bases, they got out of it.
"I'm sure a lot of people thought they were watching a Giants game five years ago," Murphy said. "But that's out of respect for (Leyland). He's the Barry Bonds of the area. If he hits a home run (in the eighth) their crowd goes bananas and they win the game. No matter what happened, we were not going to let Josh beat us."
[TAG1]fred.robledo@sgvn.com
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Great comments by SCOREBOARD. pretty much the bottom line. San Dimas had bragging rights the first time. Got to agree, in a close game, smart coaching does not let a long ball beat you PERIOD. Nv's pitching is not as strong as it was last year, Pedroza is struggling a bit but seems to be coming out of it so again walking Leyland was the right decision given the circumstances. It would have been awesome to see Marc Andrade in that situation - he would have demanded to go head-to-head with Leyland. not doubt he would have won the battle as well.
Lets be honest here -- NV and SD is a heated well-deserved rivalry. Heated being the key word, let's count the one run, last minute, edge of your seat games and that is a tribute to both teams, their coaches, and their fans! I have been to enough of both teams games and both sets of fans get into it. There are loud, obnoxious fans on both sides. That is baseball - what can you do? Very few sports allow such close proximty to the game and players. Keep it real and in perspective, it's a game and these fans are passionate and support their team. It's a good thing right?
GOOD LUCK VIKINGS -- PLAY HARD AND DO WHAT YOU DO BEST.
You have to win today to get the title......
To All you Ducks We where the One who could give a game NOT YOU.
And the DUCK that says to stop talking because im firing up nv fire up what??????
So know they wont pich to are ss???
Hahahahaahahhahahahhahahhahahhahahhaa
SD Baseball Rules-Scoreboard!
No one needs excuses for good strategy. Leyland didn't beat them. Mission accomplished.
That's like saying after a football game when they ran the ball down your throat - "well yeah, but they couldn't pass the ball!"
bottom line is the first sentence:
"San Dimas, three outs away from all but slamming the door shut on the Vikings' title hopes, couldn't hold a 6-4 lead."
Scoreboard!
LOL I love all the bull**** excusses For walking leyland still...... WoW,
Just face it Your Buster coach embarrassed himself and team by walking leyland Not once not twice FOUR TIMES!!(that was the only time i ever could hear a pin drop @ a game for BIG MOUTH nv parents) LMAO................
Hey TRICK...
who's crying who got lit?? are shortstop 5 for 5 almost more then your (HOLE)team .
To Northview die hard,
Nice comments, good job.
It's nice to see our SS (Thomas Jenson) finally getting some props. Thanks.
Too bad a lot of Northview fans can't show the same class as you.
Good luck today.
Hey Anonymously,
Your comments are so intelligent. (sorry, I shouldn't use a big word like that knowing you may want to read it),(Dictionary.com will help)
Your team may win, but you'll still be a Northview fan.
SI & SDAINTS4REAL;
What's going to happen when you lose tomorrow? Now what stupid excuses are you going to come up with.
SD FANS cry and talk to much! SI your an idiot! you don't know when to shut up and we all know your POSING as SD MOM. AINTS4REAL, THIS ISN'T THAT IDIOT T.M.
SD will lose again!
you know why they walk leyland because they know aS soon as they get past him and the shortstop(great ball player) that its almost imposible for them to score....so dont get mad when they walk leyland and they cnt score? and you know wat even if somebody in the northview line-up was worth walking u would be in even more trouble cause every batter 1-9 can take u deep including pedroza ramirez and even jones, so if u walk one kid ur just making it harder on ur pitcher cause they all 1-9 hit the ball and all can bat ANYWHERE in the line-up.....for xample when they popped up with bases loaded, when u get beat just take the "L" like a man instead of bad mouthing the coaching decision to walk the kid who has major league power, and that doesnt swing and miss very often and northview will give u a more a bit more respect! if san dimas was the better team they wuldve been able to beat nv even if they walked leyland, dont expect him to carry you the whole way through cif, and dnt worry about us during cif we know how to get it done.
To "Blue Balls",
Funny you put your own name in as "Blue Balls"'
Duh!
You shouldn't use your real name!
Wow! comparing home run totals of two Northview hitters with Josh Leylands' home run totals after they were so afraid he would hit a home run against them they walked him 4 times?
Please tell me Northview fans aren't that stupid.
Maybe another reason Murphy and the Northview team decided not to post statistics to Max Preps or the Tribune is so that a San Dimas coach and pitcher could underestimate a hitter like Arnold Banuelos and leave a big fat one high in the zone.
I'm not 100% certain of this but if anyone can confirm I'd be interested-----Two of our Viking boys are tied with Josh Leyland at 7 HRs for the year.
Hey Trex, or is it Trixy?
Leave it to Northview fan to always pull the Umpire card, even when they win.
Salcido was leading when he came out and your telling others to learn the game?
Stick to pounding beers like Mikey.
You should see the Kennedy kid play football. He is the real deal.
Murphy had his boys at the back of Albertos beating the crap out of sides of beef. His assistant, the short fat guy that can't keep his mouth shut (AKA Poly) looked on with a burrito in his mouth. Definetly going to be a Rocky vs. Drago rematch.
Murphy, Cut me Mick. :)
Hey Tartan Fan or is that RETARDED fan;
You showed your intelligence level with the last line on your comment.
"Mikey sure pounded some beers last night"
Wow, did you make it through grade school or are you still there?
SaintsR4real said:
Kennedy is going to be a good one! Great kid.
I know, I know..it's all about the win.
Thursday game was, in my opinion, won by Coaching on Murphy's part and not able to throw strikes in the last few innings.
If you took notice, I believe (SS) Thomas Jenson had as many hits (5)as Northview altogether. Northview came out of the blocks looking for walks and HP's (Regan, i"m sure knows this)(Murphy, I'm sure this is why you don't post stats).
Salcido was shaky at the get go, but stepped up and had at least 8 K's.
Kevin, Timmy, George, Matt T., Matt L., if you're going to outright win Thursday, you need to brings your bats to the house!!
Side Note: Remember the name; Sean Kennedy (Freshman). Great Game Kiddo!
Anonymously (blogger) you sound like T.M. ?!
I know, I know..it's all about the win.
Thursday game was, in my opinion, won by Coaching on Murphy's part and not able to throw strikes in the last few innings.
If you took notice, I believe (SS) Thomas Jenson had as many hits (5)as Northview altogether. Northview came out of the blocks looking for walks and HP's (Regan, i"m sure knows this)(Murphy, I'm sure this is why you don't post stats).
Salcido was shaky at the get go, but stepped up and had at least 8 K's.
Kevin, Timmy, George, Matt T., Matt L., if you're going to outright win Thursday, you need to brings your bats to the house!!
Side Note: Remember the name; Sean Kennedy (Freshman). Great Game Kiddo!
Anonymously (blogger) you sound like T.M. ?!
Hey tarder Fan what time is your softball game Thursday?? I hope you make the game.
Hey Tartan Fan:
SD Fans know how the game is played, do you? SD Fans booing and calling the NV team out is part of the game as well. Just maybe, next time they may pitch to Leyland. If the role was reversed, (nobody in the NV lineup worth walking) then NV fans would react the same way. The 5 walks didn't hurt NV this time, but sooner or later it will haunt you. SD needs to make those hurt and cash in on them. See ya thursday and I'm sure Leyland won't see any pitches again. So be prepared for the SD fans to show you how they really feel. By the way, how does walking a guy make Murphy a better coach than Reagan? Don't get it????????
Hey, Murphy, I know you read this so listen up.
"Cut me Mick" Nice quotes in the paper and Rocky feel. You guys really are rocky. You are Mick and your team truly is Rocky.
Good Job. You took down Clumber Lang. Do it again against Adrian's advice.
To all you DUMB A$$ SD fans who need to learn how the game is played.......
Ask yourself, how many times did Barry Bonds get intentionally walked in his career? Smart move on Murphy part. That's the difference between a coach like Murphy and Reagan....
Mikey sure pounded some beers last night! LOL
The guy who got pounded was PONZO...
Congrats Vikings!!
A great win out there on the baseball field. Bring it to home on Thursday and play another outstanding game.
NV 7
SD 6
"Put him on" Great coaching yesterday. Blue balls is wwhat san dimas always has. they get close but dont get the girl so the name blue balls comes to mind.
Its going to be rockin Thursday.
TO SI,
COME OUT TO THE GAME ON THURSDAY,LETS SEE IF THEY PITCH TO THE HEAVY HITTER.THE WAY I SEE IT "NO BALLS NO BLUE CHIPS"LET THEM BATTLE IT OUT ,SHOULD BE A GOOD TIME.GREAT WAY TO WRAP UP THE REGULAR SEASON.COVINA HAD ALOT OF GUTS PITCHING TO THAT GUY THE SECOND TIME.LETS SEE WHAT HAPPENS.SEE YOU THERE.
Anonymously can't put his, or her, name down, but calls out SD fan? Oops? Typical Northview fan.
Northview won on the scoreboard but who is the better team? The one that can only pitch to 8 batters or the one that isn't afraid to take on a whole team. Northview, what will you do when you get to CIF? Walk everyone? Maybe you can get more pitchers to transfer over?
Thomas Jenson is hands down the best shortstop in the league. If he doesn't get 1st team all league it's a joke. Fullerton must be crying right now.
Hey Northview pitchers, how does it feel to know your coach doesn't think you can pitch to a good hitter. Ouch.
Great game. Great job Murph. Great job Vikings. Now that looked like a team with some confidence. Ok one complaint, did San Dimas get some lucky calls or what?
Regardless, great game and could not be more proud of the Vikings. Better bring it on Thursday.
SD vs Rosemead= SD CHONKS!
SD vs North View= CHONKS!
SD vs North View on Thursday at NV, need I say it again? CHONK, CHONK.
SD BASEBALL DOESN'T RULE;
That my friend is baseball. Their is nothing wrong with walking the top hitter and it happens all the time! NV's coach did the right thing, and bottom line score board! SD fan don't keep adding fuel to the fire, all your doing is firing up NV.
Okay here's an example when a coach should have walked a hitter. The coach from COVINA should have not pitch to the hitter who just hit a grand slam before. You don't pitch to him again you WALK HIM! and what, he hits another GRAND SLAM,COME ON NOW!!! He just made the record books for the most RBI'in a game. Covina Baseball??? what a season not to remember!
SD FAN,YOUR SOUNDING LIKE SD MOM, WHAT A JOKE!
San Dimas Rules,
Shut up you no good sob. Learn the game and than come back here. Besides, you got some gifts today from umpires. Oh my, pressure is on you now my friend. See you Thurs at The View!!! Salcido got lit.
SD Baseball,
It's called good baseball.
What A joke!!! No Guts is that what a 3 time chump?? champ does wow !!
Righteous,
I don't think you can blame Northview for walking Leyland. There's an old saying in sports to never let an opponent's best beat you, whether that means stacking the line against a top running back in football, triple-teaming a slick shooter in basketball, or walking a big hitter in baseball. It's what you do. You always overplay an opponent's best, and force the other players on the team to beat you, and if they do, you just go over and shake their hand.
San Dimas;
This is just like your FOOTBALL season, you do all that big talk and you can't seem to win the big game! Why don't you learn from your past seasons and keep the noise down! Where is SD MOM?
SD CHONKS AGAIN.
northweek
pitch to leyland you babies
let the kids play
Man, that must have been a great game to have watched.
This is great for the community,lets get a great crowd out there on Thursday and support some great ball players.I can hardly wait .Come on you baseball fans you can see some great baseball and show your support for what ever team you are rooting for.we have some good teams in the area lets get them pumped up before CIF playoffs.The place is going to be Rocking !!!!
Vikings win....Vikings win. Nothing bad could be said about either team - a great game that someone had to get the loss. Way to go Vikes. Keep on keepin on. bring it home on Thursday - another League Chamionship!!
Vikes win in 8!!!! way to go guys I knew that you had it in you! Keep fighting and earn the respect of those around you.