Portola baseball team wins third in a row, defeating La Quinta 15-2 in Newport Elks Tournament

Portola baseball coach Michael Nagamatsu meets with his team after Tuesday’s 15-2 victory over La Quinta. (Photo Tim Burt, For OC Sports Zone)

Portola’s baseball team notched its third win out of the gate in its first varsity season, defeating La Quinta 15-2 Tuesday afternoon in the Newport Elks Tournament at Portola.

Portola had 16 hits and also benefited from four errors and 10 walks by La Quinta (1-2).

“The first couple games was a little slow on the bats, but our pitching has always been there,” said Portola Coach Michael Nagamatsu. “That’s going to be our strong-point. We’re built around pitching and speed and defense and our bats sort of rely on that. Today, our bats came alive. I’ve been waiting for the bats and today they just really came around.

“The guys were patient and they executed. We really preach, ‘do your job’ and everyone did their job today.”

Junior Tyler Sylvester was solid on the mound for Portola, allowing one run and two hits through five innings to record the victory. He struck out 11 and struck out the side in the fourth inning. Josh Liu finished up allowing a run and one hit in the final two innings.

“Sylvester, a southpaw, he’s got great movement with 11 K’s today,” Nagamatsu said. “He walked a couple but he made up for it coming back and striking out the next guys after that. And he was good hitting (2 for 2 with two RBI and two runs scored).

“Josh Liu is a freshman, so he’s getting good expereince for us this year. He’s our only freshman, but he’s coming in with some good foundation.”

The Bulldogs broke the game open with five runs in the bottom of the first inning, taking advantage of four walks, two errors and a wild pitch.

Josh Park had an RBI when he draw a bases loaded walk. Aidan Russell and Collin Chong had singles.

La Quinta scored a run in the third inning when Jacob Butt singled to drive in Ulisses Perez, who singled and went to second base on a wild pitch.

But in the bottom of the third inning, Portola countered with seven runs. Luke Shen and Kensay Sato had RBI singles, Paul Murrow and Sylvester had RBI doubles and Josh Park capped the inning with a two-run single.

Park also had a two-run double in the bottom of the sixth and La Quinta scored a run in the top of the seventh.

Portola is scheduled to continue tournament play Wednesday and Friday.

The Bulldogs also defeated Santa Ana Valley Monday as five pitchers teamed up for a no-hitter. (To see a story on that game, please click here).

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