Century and Orange tune up for playoffs and special memories are created at Angel Stadium

Henry Rojas of Century (No. 7) high fives teammates after a quick inning Saturday against Orange. (Photos: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

Century and Orange were both hoping to gain a little momentum for the start of the CIF baseball playoffs next week with a regular-season ending game at Angel Stadium Saturday afternoon.

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

Century had the upper hand Saturday, banging out 16 hits in an 11-1 non-league victory over Orange.

Both coaches agreed to let Century bat in the bottom of the seventh inning even though the Centurions were the home team so that more players could experience playing in the big park. Century led 6-1 going into the bottom of the final inning and added five more for the final 10-run cushion.

But this game was more about giving the high school players the experience of playing on the same field as the Angels Mike Trout than it was about CIF playoff seedings, since both teams had already clinched berths.

“It was a fun experience,” said Century Coach Theo Cortes. “It was difficult for me to try and get everyone in but I managed to get all 22 kids in. The kids had a blast.

“There were plenty of guys swinging the bats and I think we pitched seven guys, one per inning. Everyone got an opportunity. I think they will remember it the rest of their lives.”

Century had 17 hits in the game.

Among the top hitters were lead-off hitter Gerardo Hernandez, who was 3 for 4 with a run scored and two RBI, catcher Eddie Esquivel who had three hits and two RBI and second baseman Norberto Herrera, who had two hits and scored three runs. Eduardo Ojeda and Anthony Olivares also had two hits.

Adam Santana, who pitched for two innings and also scored a run and stole a base, also contributed.

“It was a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Santana, adding that the Los Angeles Angels are his favorite team. “It was really fun. It was exactly how I imagined it. It was our first time coming out here, we just came here to have fun.”

“Coming out with the W, I think we have the confidence knowing we can beat a lot of teams and that we have the ability to hit.”

Eduardo Ojeda started on the mound for Century and pitched into the fourth inning before giving way to Damien Chavez. Santana, Luis Gonzalez and Esquivel also pitched for the Centurions (21-6).

Orange (13-15) was led by shortstop Jonny Long, who had a double and a single.

Justin Nock also had a triple in the seventh inning and scored the Panthers only run when he came home on a ground-out by Tony Valdez, who finished his first year playing baseball.

Orange Coach George Chace said the experience of playing at Angel Stadium was memorable.

“A lot of these kids look up to the Angels and they see all these big leaguers and to them, it means everything,” Chace said. “They were all nervous and excited and ready to play on a big field and take in the full experience and just kind of soak it in.”

Orange was coming off a big 4-3 Orange Coast League victory Wednesday over Santa Ana which sent the Panthers to the CIF playoffs. (Please click here to see coverage of that game).

But the Panthers weren’t able to carry the momentum over from that game.

“We got a few calls against us and put us in a little bit of a hole,” he said. “Today, just wasn’t our day and we will work on things Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to gear up for Friday.

“They’re all ready for the playoffs and they want to get to work and I told them that sometimes it’s good to be humbled right before you get there because I don’t want them to get comfortable or too confident. I want them to know they have a lot of growth that has to happen and it’s time to get back to work on Monday.”

Chace said he was pleased with the hitting of Nock.

“He’s the heart and soul of our team along with Jonny Long and he’s carried us all year long behind the plate,” Chace said.

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com