Mira Costa loss creates three-way tie for first in Bay baseball race

For fans who like tight baseball races, the Bay League is providing a thriller this season. With one game remaining in the regular season, half the league is tied for first place.

Mira Costa entered the week in first place, but after suffering a 2-1 loss at Palos Verdes Tuesday, Thursday’s home game against the Sea Kings will be critical in the final league standing and determine playoff pairings.

The win moved Palos Verdes (20-8, 7-2) into a first-place tie with Mira Costa (18-11, 7-2) and Redondo (16-11, 7-2) who shut out Peninsula (10-17, 4-5) in a home win on Tuesday.

“We could go from first to third,” Mira Costa head coach Cassidy Olson said. “At least we control our own destiny. It’s basically the same scenario as last week when we played Redondo.”

Redondo had moved into a first-place tie with Mira Costa after defeating the visiting Mustangs 8-2 last Wednesday when Matt Esparza allowed only two runs on four hits in 6 2/3 innings and went 3-for-4 at the plate with two home runs and three RBIs.

Then Mira Costa rallied to take over sole possession of first place Friday with a 2-1 home victory over Redondo. The Mustangs scored twice in the bottom of the sixth inning and Anthony Lombardo hurled a three-hit complete game with eight strikeouts to out-pitch Redondo’s Dylan Hatch who surrendered two runs on five hits in five-plus innings.

Mira Costa will try to rebound from its loss to Palos Verdes where Mustang pitchers surrender only four hits and no earned runs.

“Three errors really hurt us,” Olson said. “But our kids have battled back all year. They don’t want to share the title.”

Although Coach Jeff Baumback’s Redondo squad finishes with a road game at Peninsula, the Sea Hawks are in a favorable position. Redondo swept Palos Verdes in its two-game series this season giving the nod to the Sea Hawks if Palos Verdes can defeat Mira Costa Thursday.

Esparza continued to shine on the mound, tossing a six-hit shutout and striking out four in Redondo’s 3-0 victory. Jake Jiminez went 3-for-3, Dominic Sutton hit an RBI triple and Nick Granado added an RBI single for the Sea Hawks.

Thursday’s games are scheduled to start at 3:15 p.m. Pairings for the CIF Southern Section-Ford Baseball Championships will be announced at 12:30 p.m. Monday at www.cifss.org.

Softball

Mira Costa (20-7, 7-2) defeated host Redondo 10-4 Tuesday to secure a second-place finish in the Bay League behind undefeatedPeninsula(16-9, 9-0).

Ulufa Luilua went 3-for-4 including two doubles and an RBI, Megan von Behren had two hits including a solo home run and Taylor Glover was 2-for-5 with an RBI to lead the Mustangs/

Mira Costa beat West (9-13, 4-5) 5-0 Friday behind Shannon Savino’s three-run homer. Katie Saunders had two hits including a triple and Brittany Werre had two hits to pace Coach Dick Amberik’s squad which hosts Palos Verdes Thursday at 3:15 p.m. in the league finale for both teams.

Redondo concludes its league season with a 3:15 p.m. game at league-leadingPeninsulaon Thursday.

Playoff pairings for softball will be announced at 11 a.m. Monday at www.cifss.org.