Playoffs could be needed for Orange Coast League baseball; Estancia protest withdrawn

Estancia’s Garrett Palme takes a swing in Friday’s game vs. Santa Ana (Photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

It should be an exciting final week in the Orange Coast League baseball race.

Four teams: Estancia, Calvary Chapel, Orange and Santa Ana are tied for first place and Costa Mesa (7-6) is one game behind.

Games this week will be on Tuesday and Wednesday: Estancia vs. Saddleback, Calvary Chapel vs. Costa Mesa and Santa Ana vs. Orange.

“If tie-breaker games are needed, final details are still being worked out but games will be played on Thursday,” said Estancia Athletic Director Nate Goellrich. “Santa Ana plays at Angel Stadium on Friday.

“Either TeWinkle Park in Costa Mesa or Estancia High School will be used as the site (games must be a neutral site).”

If two games need to be played Thursday, they will be at noon and 3 p.m., Goellrich said. If one game needs to be played, it will be at 3 p.m.

In addition, Goellrich added that Estancia has withdrawn its protest from Friday’s game over a balk call.

“Estancia has withdrawn the protest of a balk call the ball is still a live ball,” he said. “High school rule is that it is a dead ball and the correct call was made.” (To see what happened on the protest, please click here)