By Sandor Kopitz
Staff Writer
A pitcher needs 21 outs without a run in order for a shutout to be completed at the high school level. Senior Costa baseball pitcher Michael Romo recorded this feat on March 8 in Costa’s win against Artesia.
This was Costa’s first win, and the boys will look to continue to improve their 1-2 record today at the Loara Tournament.
An early run got the game moving in the right direction for Costa. Senior shortstop Garrett Fedor led off with a double and was moved over to third by senior utility player Sean Isaac.
The Mustangs had the bases loaded but were unable to capitalize on the opportunity, with Fedor being the only one to score a run and the Mustangs exiting the inning with a 1-0 lead.
“After my lead-off double, the pitcher had trouble throwing strikes,” Fedor said. “He walked several guys, and I scored [from third] on a throw down to second.”
The Mustangs were able to expand upon their lead when junior infielder Turner Conrad hit a two-run double in the fifth inning. Outfielder Shion Yamashita helped to pile on the runs with an RBI single, placing the score at 4-0. The score remained this for the remainder of the game.
“We had timely hits and solid defense and pitching, especially in the first inning,” Isaac said. “We were defensively strong, and we kept our runs up and were able to back up [Michael] Romo to get the win.”
Junior catcher Ian Mcloughlin was unable to play in the game due to a recent injury, so sophomore Austin Henning filled in for him as catcher. Henning made clutch plays behind the plate and stood out by throwing out two different base runners at second base when they were trying to steal on separate occasions.
Romo’s shutout marked the first time Costa’s opponents have been held scoreless this year, and although they feel this win was not perfect, they acknowledge that it’s always nice to get a win.
“We played down to their level but also had some good moments,” Isaac said.
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