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University’s Austen Barnett throws a pitch to Vincent DeMarco during a PCL game Wednesday at Uni. (Photos: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).
University High School’s baseball players included their fans in an impromptu post-game celebration Wednesday at Uni.
The Trojans defeated third place Woodbridge 8-4 in a Pacific Coast League game and along with Coach Wes Shaw, turned toward the fans and applauded after keeping their CIF playoff hopes alive.
University (13-14, 9-11) behind the pitching of Austen Barnett, and the hitting of Rivin Ruhanage and Cooper Berger, remained in a tie for fourth place with Irvine (11-14-1, 9-11) headed into the final day of play for most teams in the league on Thursday.
Woodbridge (14-13, 10-10) hosts University Thursday night at 6 at Ryan Lemmon Stadium in the regular season finale.
Four teams from the league earn automatic CIF playoffs berths. Teams can petition for at-large berths with .500 overall records.
“It was a hard-fought game by both clubs, both clubs swung the bat, Barnett had to make pitches when he had to, that’s what a senior does I guess,” said Shaw. “It’s a good win for University High School against a quality opponent.”
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It was University’s fourth win in a row, including second straight over Woodbridge, which has suffered six straight losses.
Barnett went the distance, scattering eight hits.
“We’re fortunate to get them two times, they got us three times last year, we had two hard-fought games last year, now it comes down to tomorrow night,” Shaw said.
University will have its ace Berger, going in Thursday’s game, Shaw confirmed.
University exploded for five runs in the second inning off Woodbridge starter Alex Johnson. Ruhanage had the big hit of the inning, a bases clearing triple. Berger led off the inning with a double and scored on a single by Charlie Lee. A fifth run scored when Luke Weston reached on an error.
Barnett and Ruhanage were among the Trojans excited about the win.
“Last (regular season) home game for us seniors, big senior day, we wanted to get out there and get a W and try and stay in it for a chance to get into the playoffs,” Barnett said. “I would say I did pretty good, I could have done better, gave up four runs, still did everything I needed to help my team win. I love the competition and the challenge here. I love our guys, I think we have a chance.”
Ruhanage, the leadoff hitter, was happy to get the key triple.
“Going into the at bat with the bases loaded, I just cleared my mind to do something for my guys, it was probably one of the more clutch ones and more memorable ones to help the team out a lot,” he said. “It’s going to take every single one of us but I’m confident in all of the guys.”
Woodbridge came alive offensively in the fourth inning. Nolan Stottlemyer reached on an error to drive in Alex Serafin, who doubled; Henry Uhrik had an RBI single and Nevan Namgoong delivered a sacrifice fly to cut the Uni lead to 5-3.
But University countered with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Weston drove home one on a groundout and Berger drove in two with an RBI single to make it 8-3.
In the top of the fifth, Jake Haruki and Vincent Demarco had singles. Haruki came around to score on an error but Barnett was able to blank the Warriors in the final two innings.
“You got to credit Uni, they came out ready to play and played a good game, their pitcher threw well against us,” said Woodbridge Coach Ryan Brucker. “We just have to play better, it just comes down to that, we got to have key guys get hits in situations where we can break the game open and unfortunately, that just hasn’t been happening for us and our defense ….. we have had opportunities to make plays to get out of innings and we haven’t done it.”
As a result of the two losses to Uni, Woodbridge’s playoff fate comes down to the last game.
“I think if we can play our game, we’re going to be OK. But obviously we have a tough contest tomorrow vs. Berger, he’s going to give us everything he’s got and hopefully we’re up to the challenge. The destiny is in our own hands, if we can win this game, then we’re assure third place I think.”
Berger was 2 for 3 with a run scored and two RBI, Lee 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored and Ruhanage was 1 for 3 with three RBI and two runs scored.
Vincent DeMarco had two hits and scored a run for Woodbridge.
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
