Bay League baseball title to be determined with one final game at Mira Costa
Mira Costa senior shortstop Chase Meidroth has been a stalwart for the Mustangs this season, both in the field and at the plate. Photo
It comes as little surprise that the final week of baseball action in the Bay League features the annual showdown between Mira Costa and Redondo.
Mira Costa entered the week with an 8-0 record in league while Redondo (7-1) had to overcome an 8-inning 6-5 loss at Peninsula with a sweep of the Mustangs if the Sea Hawks want to claim the title.
Half of the job was completed Tuesday evening when Redondo held off Mira Costa for a 14-12 win, putting both teams in a tie for first with 8-1 records.
With pitching aces Christian Bodlovich (Mira Costa) and Drew Dalquist (Redondo) going head-to-head, the offensive output by both teams came as a surprise.
Redondo jumped out to a 5-0 lead after Theo Forshey began the offensive barrage with a three-run home run in the first inning.
Mira Costa answered with six runs in the fourth inning before the Sea Hawks regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Dalquist was replaced by Redondo’s other starting pitcher Jake Thau in the sixth inning with a 12-7 lead.
Mira Costa fought back with Christian Bodlovich hitting a three-run double and the Mustangs adding another to pull to within one run at 12-11.
Redondo added two more runs in the top of the seventh but Mira Costa was not finished. Ethan Chang drove in one run before the Mustangs loaded the bases but Matthew Dalquist struck out the final batter to keep the Sea Hawks in contention for the league title.
Brett McCauley led Redondo’s offensive barrage going 4 for 4 with a three-run hmne run and five RBIs.
Kyle Karros slammed a two-run homer in the fourth inning for Mira Costa.
The final game of the regular season pits the rivals against each other at Mira Costa on Thursday.
“Redondo is going to be extremely tough and we are excited for the challenge,” Mira Costa head coach Keith Ramsey said on Monday. “They have a talented pitching staff and a good lineup so it should be fun.”
Mira Costa and Redondo have prepared themselves for runs at the Bay League and CIF titles by competing against talented teams during tournament play. Mira Costa is ranked No. 9 in Division 1 while Redondo will compete in the Division 2 playoffs.
Both teams were in the Redondo Tournament with Mira Costa also playing in the Newport Elks and Boras Classic tournaments. Redondo has competed in the National Classic and El Segundo tournaments.
“We definitely tried to schedule a tough non-league slate as it is vital in hopes of a playoff run,” Ramsey said. “I think we are prepared. It truly becomes about pitching in the playoffs. We have two frontline starters in Christian Bodlovich and Jared Karros and a great closer in Merrick Baldo who are all seniors.”
Mira Costa is a well balanced team which fields a strong, experienced senior class as the Mustangs head into the Division 1 playoffs.
“(Shortstop) Chase Meidroth has been fantastic all year, having a historical year,” Ramsey added. “Nick Carpino has been great as well both at the plate and in center. Dylan Dennis has been on fire lately and is such a steady presence for our team and I love where (junior) Kyle Karros is at right now. We are all very excited.”
Following a 2-0 loss to St. John Bosco in the second game of a double header on April 6, Mira Costa went on a seven-game winning streak defeating West Torrance 13-3, Leuzinger twice, Oaks Christian 3-1, Centennial twice and Torrance 7-1.
Redondo will make its postseason run in Division 2. Following their loss to Peninsula, the Sea Hawks rebounded to rout the Panthers 22-3. Redondo than defeated Lawndale 10-0 on Saturday in a Redondo Tournament game.
Playoff brackets will be announced Monday at 10 a.m. and available at cifss.org.