The day after the SoCal Mavericks upset the Pirates at Fullerton College, the two teams met again at Mt. SAC. The Mavs had to win once again to stay alive in the playoff race, while the Pirates looked to knock them out en route to clinching their own playoff berth.
The Pirates came out swinging hard. Centerfielder Hunter Meyer destroyed a ball off the top of the centerfield wall on the first pitch of the game for a triple.
Esteban Olazaba hit a hard ground ball, reaching on an error and driving Meyer in. The Pirates were able to load the bases for catcher Waldie Perez, who hit a drive into center to bring in two more runs to cap off the inning.
In the bottom of the inning with their backs against the wall, the Mavericks were able to score two runs largely due to three walks issued to Mavs hitters. Ultimately, the Pirates were able to get out of the inning without forfeiting the lead.
The Pirates loaded the bases with two outs in the second inning, giving them the chance to extend their lead. Outfielder Vaughn Coleman did his part, getting hit in the knee by a pitch to extend the lead by one before the Mavs pitched their way out of the inning.
In the top of the 3rd, outfielder Cody White hit a leadoff double down the left field line. Marc DiCarlo followed up by hitting a single up the middle to extend the lead for the third consecutive inning.
A leadoff error allowed the Mavs to get a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the third. Mavs’ centerfielder Mifflin shot a groundball through the middle, allowing the team to draw the score to 5-3.
In the top of the sixth, the Pirates did what they could to put the game out of reach. With two outs, Jordan Viramontes hit a line drive into left to bring in the first run of the inning.
Luke Medure and Connor Tallakson got on base, loading the bases for Diego Orozco. A past ball brought in a second run, and then Orozco drew a walk for a third run, making the score 8-3.
In the bottom of the inning, the Mavs got two across to make it closer, but once again, the Pirates responded with a big inning.
A Rocco Regan triple down the right field line cleared the bases, putting two more on the board to make the score 10-5. 10-5 would ultimately be the final score, effectively eliminating the Mavs from playoff contention.
On the mound, the Pirates had two clutch performances that won them the game. Ryan Oaks came in during the second inning and pitched six frames, only allowing two runs while striking out five.
DiCarlo, whose primary position is right field, came in to pitch the final two innings, and he was lights out. DiCarlo was the hardest-throwing pitcher of the day, and he shut the door on the Mavs, throwing two scoreless innings, striking out two.
The Pirates’ win brings them closer to clinching a playoff spot, but they still have two more games against the Power and one more against the Bucs.
Inland Valley Baseball Association 