Katie von Behren
Executive Sports Editor
For the first time in 30 years, the Mustangs played their final game of the season at Dodger Stadium on May 31 against Junipero Serra High School.
The Mira Costa baseball team qualified for the CIF championship game after defeating Elsinore High school 5-3 on May 28. In the championship game, the Mustangs lost 8-1 after seven innings, finishing second place in CIF.
Senior catcher Austin Henning hit a double in the fourth inning with two outs, but junior first baseman Jack Webber grounded out to end the top of the first inning. Senior pitcher Chris Alcala started as pitcher for Costa. Alcala walked Senior Dominic Smith of Serra with two outs but Senior Trent Hammond flew out to center to end the first inning, the score 0-0.
“We didn’t expect to get this far so it was a great accomplishment for the team to play in the championships, regardless of the final score,” Head Coach Cassidy Olson said. “We obviously didn’t play the way we hoped to but we stayed together as a team and did our best to play our fundamentally sound game game.”
At the top of the second inning, Senior Braden Casady flew out for the first out. Senior Grant Livornese struck out followed by another strikeout by Senior Gordon Cardenas to quickly end the top of the second inning. Junior Marcus Wilson from Serra hits a homerun off the left field foul pole, giving Serra a 1-0 lead. Senior Robert Hunt flies out to shallow right to end the second inning.
“I knew it was going to be a tough fight going into this game so I was just happy with how much we have overcome and were strong enough to advance to the finals,” senior Jack Hadley said. “I was so proud that we made it so far and felt so lucky to finish with such a great season.”
The Mustangs had three consecutive strikeouts to end the top of the third inning. Junior Denz’l Chapman hit an infield single for Serra with one out. While Sophomore Duncan McKinnon flew out, Chapman stole second base. Hammond then singled to right with a run batted in. With runners now on first and second, Serra led 2-0 with two outs. Wilson hit a double, driving in two more runs. Alcala strikes out Sophomore Solemon Bates to end the third inning with Serra leading 4-0.
“Going into this game we were looking to win, but we understand that Serra is also a great team and we were fortunate to have represented Costa at the championships,” Alcala said. “I love pitching for my team so to be able to pitch my final game at Dodgers Stadium was amazing.”
Senior Kevin Lopez led the top of the fourth with a walk. Henning followed with a double, advancing Lopez to third base with no outs. Webber grounded to first as Lopez was tagged out running back to third while Henning managed to advance to third base. The Mustangs had runners on first and third with one out, Casady faked a bunt to make a sacrifice hit. Henning scored the first and only run for Costa and Webber moved to second base. Livornese grounded out to end the top of the fourth inning. Serra held the lead 4-1.
“We knew we were going to have to play our best to come up with the win but despite the loss it was a great experience that I will never forget,” Casady said. “This is my last season with Costa and we started out rough but we got stronger, ending up in the championship game so I’m happy I got to end with an awesome year.”
Senior Robert Hunt hit a single for Serra with one out in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs, Chapman made it to first base due to a fielding error by Casady. With runners on first and second base McKinnon hit a double, driving in Hunt. Senior Trent Hammond came up to bat next when Costa put Senior Christian Reynolds in to pitch. Chapman stole home base and Wilson grounded out to end the fourth inning. Serra led 8-1 going into the top of the fifth.
“Even though we gave it our all out on the field, Serra was the better team and had good hitting with great pitching so we are still proud of how we played,” Lopez said. “I definitely am glad I got to finish my year at Dodgers Stadium and am so lucky to have been part of such an amazing team, we really overcame so much this year so it was a perfect ending despite the score.”
At the top of the fifth inning, Senior Garrett Wells walked to first for the Mustangs with one out. Hadley flew out and Senior Keyon Allen struck out to end the top of the fifth inning. Senior Khalil Denson singled to right with one out for Serra. Hunt was hit by a pitch from Reynolds which advanced Serra’s runners to first and second. Lopez was brought in to pitch for Costa and Senior Ryan Dobson walked to first, loading the bases for Serra. McKinnon then grounded out to end the fifth inning.
“This game could have gone either way so as a team we tried to go in relaxed and ready to win but we couldn’t hold the lead over Serra’s tough offense,” Wells said. “This season has been crazy, filled with unexpected events and I wouldn’t have changed any of it, I am so happy to finish the season with so many accomplishments to be proud of.”
Lopez started the sixth inning with a fly out followed by Henning with another fly out. With two outs, Webber struck out, ending the top of the sixth. Chapman hit a single for Serra in the bottom of the sixth inning. Hammond then hit a fly out followed by Wilson who struck out. With two outs and Chapman on second, Bates walked. Denson ended the sixth inning with a fly out. Starting off the top of the seventh inning, Casady hit a double in hopes of another rally. With no outs Livornese is walked to first. Costa is now on first and second base. Wells walked to first with one out, the bases now loaded. Hadley grounded out into a double play to end the game. Serra wins 8-1 and are now the Division III CIF champions.
“This game didn’t go as we wanted but we did everything we could to prepare for the big event beforehand in attempt to lighten the nerves and I think the team was as ready as they were going to be,” Olson said. “Going into this year, I never imagined this team would make it this far and playing at Dodgers stadium is an incredible experience so I am proud that the boys got to show everyone how much they have improved throughout this successful season.”
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