This post was originally published on this site
University’s Cooper Berger is congratulated by No. 9 Austen Barnett and No. 3 Jameson Lo Bianco aftter hitting a two-run home run Wednesday. Berger was also the winning pitcher. (Photos; Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).
University High School’s baseball team was counting on Cooper Berger, its ace pitcher to deliver in a key Pacific Coast League game against Irvine Wednesday.
The junior did just that, throwing a 1-hitter in the Trojans 12-1 victory over the Vaqueros at Uni.
Berger had a no-hitter going into the seventh until Evan Tamayo smacked a double down the left field line. Berger (3-0) struck out 10 and walked two, including leadoff hitter Nate Valencia, who walked in the first inning, and moved all the way to third when Zach Rodriguez laid down a sacrifice bunt and no one was covering third.
To see additional photos, click on the first picture:
Tamayo then drove in the run with a groundout.
Berger was in command after that and capped the game with a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning in which University (7-7, 5-6) scored nine runs to break open a 3-1 game.
“He’s special,” said University Coach Wesley Shaw. “We’re lucky to have him and he’s elite and I think all the college coaches in the stands today saw what we’ve been calling them about. He’s a difference maker, obviously we have a chance every time he’s on the mound and his teammates responded well by giving him some support and we played good defense. He only threw 86 pitches and he’s always around the strike zone.”
The game took on added importance for Uni after Irvine won the opener of the series 3-2. Woodbridge, Irvine, University, Portola, University and Laguna Hills are all in the running for playoff berths along with current leader Northwood and second place Beckman. Four teams earn automatic playoff berths from the league.
Irvine (7-6-1, 6-5) is tied for third with Irvine while University (7-7, 5-6) is tied with Portola for fifth place.
University plays at Irvine Friday in the deciding game of the series.
Berger said his teammates knew the importance of the game.
“It’s nice to comeback after a tough loss yesterday,” Berger said. “Yesterday our guy worked on the mound, but we fell just short. It felt good to respond and fight back with the decisive win today, everything went well for us.”
Berger was aware he was throwing his first no-hitter. He allowed one hit in two other games this year.
“I kind of realized as I was walking out in the seventh, oh no, I haven’t given up one yet, I tried not to think of it, but obviously, it stuck in the back of my brain,” he said. “Credit to Evan Tamayo for getting the knock and breaking it up.”
Irvine starter Adam Valencia also pitched well in the first five innings. Valencia did not allow a hit through three innings.
But in the fourth inning, University moved ahead with two runs. Jameson LoBianco drove in a run with a bases loaded walk and Andrew Dowd had an RBI single.
The Trojans added another run in the fifth inning. Blaine Anderson doubled to lead off. Shayan Eldridge reached on an infield single and Anderson scored on an error to give Uni a 3-1 lead.
Then, the Trojans broke it open in the sixth inning. Luke Weston and Austen Barnett each had two-run singles, Berger had the two-run homer, Dowd had two RBI singles and Eldridge had another RBI single.
Dowd was 3 for 4 with three RBI, Weston 2 for 3 with two RBI and two runs scored and Eldridge 2 for 3 with two RBI.
Rickie Murai came on in relief of Valencia in the sixth for Irvine.
PCL FINALS
Portola 3, Woodbridge 2
Northwood 5, Laguna Hills 2
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
