Two pitchers combine on no-hitter for El Modena in league win over Crean Lutheran

Matthew Gutierrez (left) and Ryan Novajoski after throwing a combined no-hitter for El Modena. (PHOTOS: Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone).

Ryan Novajoski and Matthew Gutierrez combined to pitch a no-hitter leading El Modena’s baseball team to a 6-1 Freeway League victory over Crean Lutheran Friday afternoon at El Modena.

It marked the second time this season the pair have participated in a no-hitter. Earlier this season, Novajoski, Gutierrez and Jacob Zamudio combined to throw a no-hitter against Villa Park.

“I started thinking about the no-hitter after the fourth inning,” said Novajoski, who pitched five innings, struck out four and walked six. He did give up an unearned run in the second inning. “However, when I was on the mound, I wasn’t thinking about the no-hitter. Now, our goal is go and win the league.”

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

Gutierrez came on in relief in the top of the sixth inning after Novajoski walked the first two batters to lead off the inning. 

Gutierrez promptly picked off a Crean Lutheran runner at second base for the first out of the inning and then struck out the next two hitters to spoil the Saints rally.

“It was a planned pickoff play,” said Gutierrez. “Sometimes it works and sometimes if doesn’t, but today was one of those times it worked.”   

The league leading Vanguards (19-5, 7-1) clinched a trip to the CIF playoffs with the win. El Modena has won eight of its last nine games.

The two teams were locked in a pitchers dual for the first five innings as Novajoski and Saints hurler Blake Armstrong, yielded only one hit until the sixth inning. 

However, after Gutierrez pitched out of a jam in the top of the sixth inning, the game started to unravel for the Saints (7-20, 1-9).

Logan Honikel led off the bottom of the sixth inning for El Modena by blasting a triple to right center field. Novajoski then drew a walk. Jorge Chavez followed with an RBI single to give the Vanguards a 2-1 lead. 

“I was trying to make contact and hit something hard up the middle,” said Chavez, who was mobbed by his teammates during an interview. “Our team has a strong bond and this win gives up more momentum and confidence.”

Gutierrez then laid down a perfect bunt down the third base line. He beat the throw to first but the throw sailed wide of the bag and down the right field line, allowing Novajoski and Chavez to score and Gutierrez ended up on third base on the play.

One out later, Brody Gugert hit a ball down the third base line. Gutierrez broke for the plate and the throw from the third base hit Gutierrez in the back and he scored to make it 5-1. Jacob Lopez added a two out RBI single and the Vanguards upped their lead to 6-1.

Gutierrez retired the side in order in the seventh inning to preserve the no-hitter, but was aided by a clutch catch by center fielder Cameron Collazo. Collazo made a diving catch in center field off the bat of Sam Keller for the first out of the inning. Gutierrez then retired the next two hitters on a pop out and an infield grounder to complete the no hitter. 

“I wasn’t nervous,” said Gutierrez. “I knew my defense had my back.”

El Modena Coach Josh Kliner said his pitchers were outstanding. 

“Ryan kept us in the game,” said Kliner. “Ryan pitched out of a jam in the first inning and Matthew is simply fearless. He has the ability to remain calm and poised when things get crazy. We have found ways to win tight games all season.”

Crean Lutheran took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Brady McKay was hit by a pitch to lead off the game and came around to score on an errant throw past the first baseman.

El Modena pushed across an unearned run in the second inning to tie the score at 1-1. Armstrong pitched well for Crean Lutheran giving up only one hit and striking out four over the the first five innings.

“I didn’t have my best stuff and it’s a tough loss but we still want to finish the season strong, learn from our mistakes and come back a better team next season,” said Armstrong. 

“We’ve played some stretches of very good baseball this season but we’ve also played some bad baseball at some critical times,” said Saints Coach Jake Haney.

“It’s frustrating to lose in this manner. They only hit the ball hard a few times today, and a few times the ball caught our fielders on in between hops. They also laid own a perfect bunt and we made a few throwing errors. Despite all that, these guys have maintained a positive attitude, competed and played hard. We’re a young team. We have four freshmen on the varsity and we’re still learning.”

Notes:

—-El Modena has four regular season games – all league games – remaining, two with Pacifica and two with Canyon.

—Crean Lutheran has four regular season games left, two league games with Pacifica and two non-league contests.