CdM edges Los Alamitos in key Surf League game to stay in CIF playoff hunt

CdM players from left Carter Danz, Dillon Lane, Brady Andrews and Brady Gadol helped the Sea Kings win. (Photo courtesy CdM Baseball).

With the CIF playoffs looming, Corona del Mar High School’s baseball team needed a clutch pitching performance in Friday’s Surf League game against Los Alamitos and the Sea Kings got one from a rising star. 

Sophomore left-hander Brady Andrews came on in relief in the second inning and held Los Alamitos scoreless leading the Sea Kings to a 3-2 victory at CdM and a series win.

Andrews relieved starter Hogan Smith in the second inning and went six innings to improve the Sea Kings record to 12-12-1 overall and 3-4 in league.

Andrews gave up five hits, walked two and struck out three while not allowing a run. In addition, he pitched out of jams in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to keep CdM’s playoff hopes alive.

“My coach showed so much confidence in me by letting me stay in the game,” said Andrews, who battled the flu this week and was making only his third varsity appearance of his career. “He told me ‘I’m not taking the ball from you; you’re a bulldog’. I’m just happy to get the win and help our team get closer to the playoffs.”

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Andrews’ battery mate, Dillon Lane, said Andrews has proven he’s a varsity player.

“He had lots of energy, he was stoked today and we had faith in him,” said Lane. “After his performance last week in Palm Springs, he proved he’s a varsity guy and everything in his arsenal was working today.”

Sea Kings Coach Kevin McCaffrey praised Andrews effort.

“Brady did a great job; we gave him the ball and he competed,” said McCaffrey. “He deserved to be out there and he earned it. Our goal this season was to make the playoffs and we’re still alive.”

Smith walked the bases loaded in the first inning with one out. Derek Valdez smashed an RBI single and AJ Cappell hit an RBI sacrifice fly to give the Griffins a 2-0 lead. However, Smith averted further damage when he faked a pickoff throw to first base and then turned and through home to Lane, who tagged out Wyatt Madison, who was attempting to score from third, ending the Griffins rally and inning.  

CdM took advantage of three Los Alamitos’ miscues in the third inning to tie the score at 2-2. After beating out an infield hit, Ganon Overfelt came around and scored on an errant throw at third base. Later in the inning, Charlie Allen scored to tie the game on an RBI single by Van Sidebotham.

Lane doubled to lead off the Sea Kings fourth inning and went to third on Carter Danz’s single and then scored the go ahead run on Brady Gadol’s RBI single.

“I was sitting on a curveball and I got it; we’re proving we can compete with the Division 1 teams,” said Gadol. “This is a huge win for us and we have big games next week with Fountain Valley.”   

Los Alamitos Coach Tony Fusco said his team (15-10, 3-4) had its chances.

“Things didn’t go our way today,” said Fusco. “It was a do or die game and we didn’t get the big hit when we needed it and we didn’t take care of business defensively.”

Jake Evans had three hits and Valdez added two hits for the Griffins.

—Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone