This post was originally published on this site
Brady McKay of Crean Lutheran takes third base in Saturday’s Ryan Lemmon Invitational. (Photos courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs, John Luciano).
Crean Lutheran High School’s baseball team came into the opening round of the Ryan Lemmon Invitational riding a five-game win streak after winning all five games in the Anaheim Lions Tournament.
But two pitchers from Viewmont quieted the Saints bats and the team from Bountiful, Utah defeated Crean Lutheran 1-0, in eight innings Saturday at the Great Park Stadium.
To see the slide show, click on the first photo:
Viewmont junior Jack Owen pitched the first seven innings, allowing two hits and striking out nine. He left the game without a decision. Senior Beckham Smith worked out of a two out bases loaded jam in the bottom of the eighth inning to earn the win, striking out one to help the Vikings (3-4) snap a four-game losing streak.
Crean Lutheran starting pitcher Ethan Chavez, who pitched a no-hitter earlier this season against Yorba Linda, turned in a tremendous performance as well with seven scoreless innings. He scattered four hits and struck out 11, striking out the side in the second inning.
Crean Lutheran (11-3) threatened in the first inning. Brady McKay led off with a walk, Dylan Maez singled and with one out, Davis Rutten walked to load the bases. But Owens was able to work out of trouble, a diving catch by left fielder Gehrig Lee off the bat of Jayce DeJong ended the inning
“We had one great opportunity in the first inning, first and third and nobody out but couldn’t cash in,” said Crean Lutheran Coach Jake Haney. “Their guy made some big pitches there and at our bats just weren’t quality enough right then, and we didn’t really have a of chances after that. The ball kind of bounced their way in the last inning, a bloop single to give them the lead.
“But we’ve been pretty fortunate this year to have some balls bounce our way, we’ve won every close game and at some point, it’s going to happen the other way.”
The tournament used tie-breaker rules in extra innings with a runner placed at second to start the inning. With one out in the eighth, Smith walked and Elias Culley reached on an infield single to load the bases. Kade Marriott followed with a looping single to right field off Adams to put Viewmont ahead 1-0.
After loading the bases in the bottom of the inning, the Saints were unable to even the score.
“There were some fantastic things, Chavez was unreal and Max (Adams) came on in the eighth and did a good job, a bloop single in a tough situation …. we played great defense, but our swings just weren’t quality enough to be competitive to put up enough runs to get it done,” Haney said.
There were no errors in the game on either side. Viewmont catcher James Peterson threw out three Saints runners trying to steal second.
Viewmont players and coaches were thrilled with the victory.
“It was a classic pitcher’s dual for both teams, zero-zero going into the extra innings and just really good, clean baseball from both sides, you love to see that,” said Viewmont Coach Hunter Roybal. “We have a lot of injuries right now and we were coming off a four-game losing streak because of that so this win could project a ton of life and some momentum in our team for the rest of the year. These pitchers showed a ton of emotional maturity and I’m super proud of both of them for pitching well.”
The two pitchers indicated the win meant a lot.
“I love to play and I love to be with my team. We hope to go out and win more and hope to win state back in Utah and just keep playing and keep winning and have a fun time while doing it,” said Owen, the starter, who has been playing baseball since he was 6.
“It was a really good win for us,” added Smith, the reliever. “It was a big confidence booster, we’ve been on a little losing streak, we’ve lost a couple players to injuries, we were tough, we fought it out.”
Smith praised Owen’s performance.
“I came in with confidence that I could shut them down and we did, and we got the win,” he said.
Players and coaches drove to Orange County Friday and have had fun, Smith said.
“It’s been beautiful outside, we love it out here, beautiful stadium, we’ve had so much fun,” he said. “It’s been snowing this week (in Utah) so we’re so happy to be out here.”
––Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com