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Tustin players, led by No. 3 Andrew Lechuga, who scored the winning run, celebrate a 2-1 victory over Fullerton in 10 innings Tuesday. (PHOTOS: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).
Tustin High School’s baseball team kept battling Tuesday afternoon and it finally paid off with two outs in the 10th inning when the Tillers pushed across a run to defeat Empire League leader Fullerton 2-1 at Tustin.
The Tillers celebrated when pinch-runner Andrew Lechuga scored from second base on a wild pitch and an error with Adam Whyte at the plate.
To see the slide show, click on the first photo:
Both teams battled from start to finish in a highly-competitive game. Despite the tough loss, Fullerton (13-6-1, 4-1) is still in first place. Tustin (6-13-1, 3-2-1) remained in the CIF playoff chase, moving into second place.
“We found a way, we made the quality pitches when we had to,” said Tustin’s first year coach Wes Shaw. “It’s all about execution, we got to execute, we got to play good defense, so it helps when you get competitive pitching. It’s a real big win for us, especially with the season we’ve had, it’s a good thing. These kids are slowly buying in and they’re working hard.
“I think they’re gaining more confidence as we play better baseball. When you don’t play good baseball, your confidence goes down. The coaching staff has done a great job of preparing these guys, I’m really blessed with that.”
Lechuga, known for his speed, was brought in as a pinch-runner after Dylan Benally, who reached on a fielder’s choice, got to second base.
“We subsituted for a guy who can run a little bit and the baseball Gods smiled down on us for that one,” Shaw said.
Tustin players mobbed Lechuga as he beat the throw home.
“… On that one at third base, the ball got away and our base-runner Andrew Lechuga made a good run on it and scored at home,” said Whyte who had two doubles and two of the three Tustin hits. “It’s a big win obviously, we had some struggles early in the season but knowing we can still make playoffs if we do go through league, it’s a very big win for us.”
It looked early on like it was going to be Fullerton’s day when the Indians took an early lead. Zach Fany walked and Malachi Meni was hit by a pitch. Miguel Velasquez followed with an RBI single to give Fullerton a 1-0 lead. However, Tustin got out of the inning with a double play.
Tustin starter Jeffery Nesmith was brilliant after that, shutting out Fullerton for the next seven innings before giving way to reliever Nathan Saltzer. Nesmith, who did not get a decision, allowed just two hits, struck out five and walked two in eight innings. Saltzer pitched two scoreless innings, allowing two hits to earn the win.
“It’s one of his best games, he’s thrown another one just like that,” Shaw said of Nesmith. “He threw 78 pitches in eight innings. Nate Saltzer, the submariner, did what he’s always done.”
Nesmith was able to contain Fullerton and Tustin tied the game 1-1 with a run in the fifth inning. Anthony Herrera and Jacob Policare walked with two outs and Angel Rodriguez singled up the middle off Fullerton starter Declan Fitzgerald, who limited Tustin to one hit through the first four innings. He wound up with eight strikeouts.
Garrett Wightman came on in relief in the sixth inning and Evan Terrazas pitched in the 10th for the Indians.
Fullerton had two runners on in the ninth inning but came away empty. Tustin had two runners on the eighth inning, after Adam Whyte doubled and Daniel Benalli was walked intentionally but Fullerton turned a double play to get out of the inning.
Both teams had three hits in the game. Velasquez was 2 for 4 with an RBI to lead the Indians.
The teams meet again Friday at Fullerton to wrap up the series. Tustin plays at Valencia Wednesday in a non-league game.
“It’s a good one, especially with the talent Fullerton has got, Fullerton a very elite ball club, they’re well coached, they have talent, it’s big for us, we got to go in the lions den on Friday,” Shaw said. “
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com