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Northwood players celebrate after Monday’s victory over Irvine. (Photos courtesy Jim Tomlin, For OC Sports Zone).
Northwood High School’s baseball team captured its second consecutive victory over Irvine defeating the Vaqueros 6-3 Monday to clinch third place and a trip to the CIF playoffs, according to Coach Doug Euper.
Northwood, after a rough start to the season, has come on strong and wound up winning two of three games from Irvine, including Saturday’s game at Irvine.
“We’re so excited to know we’re going to the playoffs,” said Euper. “We started the season 1-8 overall and 1-4 in league. The team didn’t get down, they just kept working, trying to get better. I couldn’t be more proud of these guys for turning their season around.”
To see the slide show, click on the first photo:
Northwood got a strong pitching performance from Bobby Bangs in Monday’s game at Northwood.
Bangs went the distance, scattering four hits and striking out seven. Bangs also went 2 for 3 at the plate with an RBI.
“I’m very proud of how well he competed for us on the mound,” Euper said. “He didn’t have his best stuff but gave us everything he had.”
Rylan Littlejohn went 2 for 3 with two RBI and a stolen base to lead the Timberwolves offensively.
“Rylan also played outstanding defense behind Bobby at second base, along with Ahmad Kazi at third, and Andres Hernandez at shortstop,” Euper said.
Joseph Harper went 1 for 3 and drove in two runs for Northwood (11-4, 9-7).
Caden Shaffer led Irvine offensively, going 2 for 3 with an RBI and a double. Henry Jeong was 1 for 2 with a double.
Joon Lee pitched the first six innings for Irvine (7-16, 5-9), striking out three.
