Damien baseball stuns the Baseline with sweep over Upland last week despite major injuries

By Aram Tolegian
With several weeks left to play, calling what the Damien and San Marino baseball teams did last week “salvaging the season” may be a bit too strong.
However, the alternative would have probably put both teams in too big of a hole to climb out of in their respective league races.With several weeks left to play, calling what the Damien and San Marino baseball teams did last week “salvaging the season” may be a bit too strong.
However, the alternative would have probably put both teams in too big of a hole to climb out of in their respective league races.
Damien, which has been besieged by injuries to some key pitchers, took two out of three against Upland to find its way back into a five-team logjam atop the Baseline League standings.
“Last week was huge because we were barely treading water,” Damien coach Andy Nieto said. “I’m really proud of our guys because of how they haven’t allowed the distraction of not being at full strength to deter them. For us, there’s no bigger urgency than one in a row.”
Before Damien took the series, Upland looked like it might pull away in the league standings. Now, the Scots have a one-game lead on Chino Hills and Etiwanda, and a two-game lead on Damien and Los Osos.
Damien enters the week at 5-11 overall and 3-4 in league. The Spartans have a huge two-game set with Etiwanda, which could go a long way toward getting even further back into the Baseline title race.
“There’s way less margin for error for us,” Nieto said. “We just have to continue to play good, sound, fundamental baseball and allow different contributors to step up and help.
“We’re playing the right teams in order to make a move. It’s one in a row. That’s where we’re at Etiwanda is a very dangerous team, offensively.”

The Spartans continue to trek on despite not having key pitchers Jonathan Olsen, Isaiah Carranza and Scott Hartill, who are all feared lost for the season with arm injuries.
Damien, which has been besieged by injuries to some key pitchers, took two out of three against Upland to find its way back into a five-team logjam atop the Baseline League standings.
“Last week was huge because we were barely treading water,” Damien coach Andy Nieto said. “I’m really proud of our guys because of how they haven’t allowed the distraction of not being at full strength to deter them. For us, there’s no bigger urgency than one in a row.”
Before Damien took the series, Upland looked like it might pull away in the league standings. Now, the Scots have a one-game lead on Chino Hills and Etiwanda, and a two-game lead on Damien and Los Osos.
Damien enters the week at 5-11 overall and 3-4 in league. The Spartans have a huge two-game set with Etiwanda, which could go a long way toward getting even further back into the Baseline title race.
“There’s way less margin for error for us,” Nieto said. “We just have to continue to play good, sound, fundamental baseball and allow different contributors to step up and help.
“We’re playing the right teams in order to make a move. It’s one in a row. That’s where we’re at. Etiwanda is a very dangerous team, offensively.”
The Spartans continue to trek on despite not having key pitchers Jonathan Olsen, Isaiah Carranza and Scott Hartill, who are all feared lost for the season with arm injuries.

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