CdM players after winning the Wave League title Thursday. (Photos courtesy CdM Athletics).
Corona del Mar’s baseball team defeated Marina 5-3 Thursday afternoon at CdM to clinch the outright Sunset Wave League championship.
CdM has now won the Wave League title three of the past four years. The Sea Kings won back-to-back championships in 2021 and 2022.
The Sea Kings (18-9, 9-3) will be in Division 3 of the CIF playoffs that begin next Friday and are expected to earn a home game.
Marina got off to a quick start scoring in the first inning. A leadoff walk followed by a double scored a run. Another single put runners at first and third with no outs.
“A back pick from catcher Dillon Lane to third baseman Christopher Wheat led to the first out of the inning and a line drive to right field where the runner was doubled up got the Sea Kings out of an early jam,” said CdM Coach Kevin McCaffrey.
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CdM countered with three runs in the third inning to move out to a 3-1 lead. Jamey Ott reached on an error to lead off the bottom of the third. Carter Danz singled to right field to put runners at first and second. Dillon Lane then doubled to drive in Ott. Nick Salmon singled to drive in Danz and Lane.
Marina answered with two runs in the top of the fourth inning.
A leadoff double followed by an error and another double scored a run. A single tied the game up at three.
With runners at first and third, CdM was able to get out of the inning with a double play on a delayed steal. The runner was caught in a rundown between first and second. Shortstop Vince Menard tagged the runner for the second out and then fired a throw to home to the catcher Lane who picked the ball and applied the tag to record the final out of the inning, McCaffrey said.
CdM took the lead in the fifth inning when Lane led off with a double to left. Stevie Jones delivered an RBI single followed by an RBI double by Menard to put the Sea Kings ahead 5-3.
Jake Winn started on the mound for CdM. Brady Andrews came into the game in the second inning and threw six innings to record the win. Andrews allowed six hits and only one earned run while striking out four.
“I am extremely proud of these guys,” McCaffrey said. “This year’s team is a special group of young men. This team has battled all year. They work hard and strive to get better daily. It hasn’t always been pretty, but they continue to find ways to win. We have six seniors on this year’s team, and they are all amazing. Winning league championships is special. This is something these guys will have for the rest of their lives.
“We would not be where we are without the coaching staff that we have. Our pitching coaches, Mike Gerakos and Nick Barte have done wonders with our staff. Jon Green and Brandon Trinkwon have worked tirelessly with our defensive players and hitters. The knowledge of this staff and time they put in with the team is unmatched. I am so thankful to be able to work with such wonderful leaders.”
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