Los Alamitos players pose for a picture after Thursday night’s victory over Esperanza (Photos: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).
Los Alamitos High’s baseball team may have been struggling a bit offensively this season.
To see the slide show, please click on the first photo
But the Grffins bats woke up big time Thursday night and Los Alamitos rolled to a 18-1 non-league victory over Esperanza at Angel Stadium, capped by a 12-run sixth inning.
Los Alamitos (8-12) wound up with 15 hits while Esperanza (14-10) was limited to one hit by five Griffin pitchers.
Coleman Allen broke up the no-hitter for the Aztecs in the sixth inning with an RBI single and eventually came around to score on a passed ball.
“I’m really proud of them, we have some offensive ability and we’ve struggled a lot this year and to come out here and put this offensive type of production maybe it foreshadows how we wind down the year,” said Los Al Coach Matt Nuez.
FOR HIGHLIGHTS, SEE VIDEO COURTESY JONATHAN KHAMIS
Los Alamitos pitchers Zach Locke, who started and pitched the first two inings, Dallas Burke, Jason Hearn, Dylan Terman and Drew Edmonds came through with solid efforts.
Los Alamitos and Esperanza were the latest two teams to play in Angel Stadium. No admission or parking was charged for fans.
“Honestly, standing at third base and watching their emotions, all the frustration and hard work, that all kind of goes away because it fills my heart and soul to see them so happy and see the real true emotions of all of baseball coming out for them and lifetime experiences that they will never forget,” Nuez said.
The game was scoreless after two innings, but in the top of the third inning, the Griffins stole a run and set the tone for the rest of the game. With Johan Newman at first base and Kenui Huey at third and two outs, Newman broke for second on a steal attempt and Huey came home on a steal on a perfect double steal to score the first run of the game.
Then Los Alamitos added two more runs in the fourth inning. Corey Patterson singled and scored on a triple by Burke. Pinch-hitter Michael Wilber had an RBI single and Huey a sacrifice fly.
Los Alamitos added two in the fifth and in the seventh, the Griffins hit around. Sophomore Shortstop Zach Peters was among the contributors with two hits, one a double and two RBI in the inning. He also scored two runs in the inning.
“Everyone contributed tonight,” Nuez said.
-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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