The Mike Hazlett Tournament, hosted by Wilcox High, got underway on Tuesday after Monday’s games were rained out. Mitty and Willow Glen wasted no time creating some early drama in the tournament, with the Monarchs outlasting Willow Glen, 2-1, in a nine-inning affair.
Tied at one headed to the ninth inning, Mitty got a one-out single from pinch-hitter Miguel Cebedo, who wasted no time getting himself into scoring position, even as Nick Yorke lined out to right field for the second out.
“(Willow Glen) had a left-hander on the mound, so we pinch hit with Miguel (Cebedo), and he did a great job coming off the bench. He was prepared and knows what it takes as a senior,” said Mitty coach Brian Yocke. “He was able to steal second, and then made a great read on a ball in the dirt, to take third and be in position to score. It was great focus and intent to be looking for that next base in that situation.”
After a walk to Jared Reupert, Cebedo’s base-running paid dividends, when Jonah Advincula’s ground ball to shortstop resulted in a throwing error, allowing Cebedo to cross the plate with the game-winning run.
Ironically, both of the Monarchs’ runs came without the benefit of a hit. In the first inning, Mitty took a 1-0 lead when Yorke scored following a dropped third strike and a throwing miscue to first. Willow Glen tied the game in the bottom of the fifth with a two-out rally.
Joey Constantino was hit by a pitch, and Charles Falcone followed with a double to put runners on second and third. Matt Miller then singled to score Constantino, part of a 4-for-5 day at the plate for Miller.
“Willow Glen is a fundamentally sound team that puts a lot of pressure on you, and is very well-coached,” Yocke said. “They have improved a ton in the past couple weeks, since we scrimmaged each other.”
Dominic Quinones went the first five innings on the mound for Mitty, allowing just three hits. Reupert tossed three scoreless innings in relief to earn the win, while Advincula closed the door in the ninth for the save.
Davis Miller allowed four hits in six and one-third innings on the mound for Willow Glen.
Mitty and Wilcox meet in the tournament semifinals.
Wilcox stays unbeaten with win over Monterey
The host Chargers got a strong start on the mound from Angel Martinez, beating Monterey 3-1 in the first day of action at the Hazlett Tournament.
Martinez allowed one run in five and two-thirds innings, while striking out three. Jarrett Chapman and Asahi Sato each drove in runs during the pitching duel.
Leigh blanks San Benito
Leigh’s Tyler Mead went the distance in the Longhorns’ 3-0 win over San Benito, as part of the Hazlett Tournament.
Mead allowed just three hits and needed just 65 pitches for the complete game effort. Meanwhile, Leigh scored all three of its runs in the top of the fourth, on run-scoring hits from Aidan Selfridge and Nathan Schwartz. Selfridge went 2-for-3 to lead the Longhorn attack.
Leigh faces Valley Christian in the tournament semifinals.
Valley Christian blanks Santa Teresa
Steven Zobac had a pair of hits, while Coleman Brigman and Ryan Belluomini each drove in two runs during Valley Christian’s 9-0 win over Santa Teresa.
William Kempner struck out four batters in four and one-third innings on the mound.
