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Jackson McDonald of CdM scores the winning run as Dillon Lane reaches second base on a double. (Photo courtesy CdM Baseball).
Corona del Mar High School’s baseball team opened the first of a three-game Surf League series against Los Alamitos with a 2-1 walk-off victory Tuesday at CdM.
Dillon Lane hit a double to the fence that scored Jackson McDonald from first base to end the game. Jake Garcia got his second start of the season and battled all afternoon, scattering nine hits over six innings while only allowing only one run and striking out five, according to CdM Coach Kevin McCaffrey.
Freshman Stevie Jones came in to pitch a scoreless seventh inning to earn the win.
CdM scored in the first inning when Van Sidebotham stole second base. He advanced to third on a throwing error and scored on an error. Los Al tied the game up in the sixth inning.
“We are battling some injuries with our starting pitchers and needed Jake to start for us today,” McCaffrey said. “He did an amazing job this afternoon. He changed his speeds and kept a very good offensive team off balance. Our defense made the routine play and allowed us to get out of several tough situations. Due to our injuries, we brought up Stevie Jones today. We put him in pitch the seventh and he did a great job.
“What a tough situation for a freshman. Being called up and then being put into a tie game in the seventh. I am so proud of the way Jake and Stevie competed today. I am so happy for Dillon Lane. He has been our rock behind the plate all year and he really delivered today. He back picked a runner off third that got us out of a difficult situation early in the game. He then comes up in the bottom of the seventh and delivers the game winning double. Our boys competed all afternoon.
“We were able to get that one big hit and that was the difference. Their pitcher (Cole Tryba) was unbelievable. He struck us out 13 times.”
CdM is 11-11-1 overall and 2-3 in league play. Los Alamitos is 14-9 overall and 2-3 in league. The two teams play again Wednesday at Los Alamitos and finish the series Friday at CdM.
