CdM players (from left) Luc Stuka, Nick Rottler and Jarrett Thompson led the Sea Kings to a win Thursday (Photos Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).
Corona del Mar’s baseball team used solo home runs by Luc Stuka and Nick Rottler and solid pitching by Jarrett Thompson to defeat Laguna Beach 3-1 Thursday and clinch second place in the Wave League.
The Sea Kings (18-8-1, 5-4) are headed to the CIF Division 2 playoffs next week.
To see the slide show, please click on the first photo
Laguna Beach (15-13, 3-6) needed a win to secure an automatic berth. Breakers Coach Jeff Sears said he will apply for an at-large spot but is not hopeful his team will secure one.
“I’m super excited about that, that was one of our goals to make the playoffs in this new league and the guys have been really fighting the last two weeks and we’re really excited for them,” said CdM Coach Kevin McCaffrey.
Jarrett Thompson pitched into the seventh inning for the host Sea Kings before giving way to Tanner Ivey, who got the save. Thompson struck out six and allowed three hits.
“Jarrett was unbelievable today, everything was on, our defense helped him out but I’m pretty darned excited for him,” McCaffrey said.
“It was a big win for us because I really wanted to get to the playoffs because I love playoffs,” Thompson said. “I knew I had to pitch a good game against Laguna Beach because they have some really good hitters, so I just gave it my all and got the win.
“My stuff was pretty electric today, faster than usual. My off-speed was breaking more and I still had a really good change-up and all my pitches were working.”
Laguna Beach gave CdM a scare in the seventh inning. Cutter Clowson doubled and came home on an RBI single by Will Potratz. The Breakers had the bases loaded and one out, but Ivey got Jeremy Hayes to hit into a double play to end the game.
Cdm took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Stuka, the first baseman, blasted his seventh home run of the year. The Sea Kings extended their lead to 2-0 in the second inning on a lead-off home run by Rottler.
“Luc and Nick have been doing it all year,” McCaffrey said. “Obviously in a game that really matters it’s great for them to do that.”
Both players were happy to contribute to the victory, which secured CdM’s fifth straight trip to the CIF playoffs.
“Matt Decrona had a good solid first at bat and got unlucky and got a ground-out,” Stuka said. “I was up and I just wanted to get us on the board quick and the first pitch I saw, I took it to right, it was a fastball middle in. It was a must-win.”
“I’ve been struggling at the plate a lot lately and I figured I was going to get a fastball and I got it and I hit it to right center,” added Rottler. “I definitely needed that for my own personal well being but also for the team. This was a big win, we needed this one, finally making it to CIF again and we’re ready to go.”
Rottler also had a bases loaded walk in the third inning which drove home Nolan Dunn, who led off the inning with a double to left field to put the Sea Kings ahead 3-0. Rottler was also was hit by a pitch in the sixth inning.
Peyton Fullerton started on the mound for Laguna Beach and gave up three hits. He struck out five but walked four and hit one.
“It was a very competitive game,” said Sears, the Laguna Beach coach. “They made a great double play at the end of the game. It’s a tough situation to go out on.
“I don’t see us getting in. We will turn in paper work for an at-large but we will finish third in a really good four team league. We’ve had a great season, despite all the injuries in a very tough league.”
-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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