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Segerstrom players after Friday’s victory over Garden Grove. (Photos: Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone).
The visiting Segerstrom High School baseball team completed a sweep of Garden Grove in a Golden West League game Friday afternoon with a 2-0 victory over the Argonauts.
However, Garden Grove did not go away quietly.
Segerstrom notched a 6-3 victory over Argonauts on Tuesday and on Friday, the Jaguars right-hander Zack Bretza struck out five and limited Garden Grove (10-12, 1-5) to one hit over six innings before giving way to reliever Jacob Ceja in the seventh inning.
Besides earning his fourth win of the season, Bretza also had three hits, three stolen bases, scored two runs and was on base four times.
“I was fired up and the adrenaline was pumping,” said Bretza, who retired 13 of the last 14 hitters he faced. “I was struggling early on, but then I started throwing a lot of splitters and I got dialed in. With only two weeks left in the regular season, we’re playing well but we have to continue to prepare and practice well.”
Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Garden Grove’s Robert Delatorre reached first on an infield single off Ceja. He was forced out at second on an fielder’s choice for the second out of the inning. Eric Fernandez and Pablo Reyes each drew a walk to load the bases. However, Ceja struck out Khai Anderson to end the inning and close out the win for the Jaguars (9-9-1, 4-2).
“I was pumped up to close out the game, but it got tight and I was fortunate that our second baseman Matthew Morales made a couple of really great plays,” said Ceja, who had two hits, and was on base three times. “After I walked two guys, I knew I had to throw strikes and I made some pitches and got out of it.”
Bretza led off the game with a single to right center. He stole second and moved to third base on a sacrifice before he scored on Ceja’s RBI single, giving the Jaguars a 1-0 lead.
Bretza again led off the third inning with a single, stole second and avoided a tag as he slid into third base on a sacrifice. He scored Segerstrom’s second run of the game, scoring on Anthony Quinonez’s RBI sacrifice fly.
“We have momentum and we’re passing the baton to each other,” said Quinonez, who also doubled and walked in the game. “We have to continue to pick each other up and start each game out strong.”
The Argonauts had a golden opportunities to score in the first two innings but couldn’t capitalize.
With one out in the first inning, Anderson and Noah Figueroa walked, but Bretza retired Noe Garcia and Ruben Torres on a pop up and a ground out to get out of a jam. In the second inning, Garden Grove had two on with two outs, but Bretza got Pablo Reyes on a fly to right to end the threat.
“We couldn’t capitalize early in the game,” said Garden Grove Coach Ricardo Cepeda. “Johnny Peraza pitched great and kept us in the game. We’ve been in every game this season, but now we really have to take care of business if we want to get to the CIF playoffs.”
Peraza pitched five innings, gave up two runs and six hits. He struck out five and walked only one batter.
Segerstrom coach Erasmo Ramirez said Bretza and Ceja came through.
“Zack has been doing it for us offensively and on the mound this season,” said Ramirez, whose team is in third place in league behind Ocean View and Katella.
“Zack didn’t have his best stuff today, but he didn’t lay down. Jacob made big pitches when the game was on the line. It was a tough game and now we have to come back and have a good practice on Monday and get ready for Katella and for the playoffs.”
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—Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone
