Mira Costa’s improbable run came to an end Friday when the unranked Mustangs fell to second-seeded Serra 8-1 in the CIF Southern Section Division 3 baseball championships at Dodger Stadium.
Mira Costa began the season with off-field controversy that included the suspension of head coach Cassidy Olson. But the Mustangs battled their way to a Bay League championship and an impressive playoff run that culminated with a runner-up plaque in the team’s first final appearance since 1982.
Mira Costa was no match for a talented, well-balanced Serra team that included former Mustang Trent Hammond, who transferred to Serra for his senior year. Hammond hurt his former teammates going 2 for 4 with three RBIs to finish a successful season in which he batted over .400.
Serra (28-5) took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a solo home run by Marcus Wilson that hit the left-field foul pole. By the end of the third inning, the Cavaliers held a 4-0 lead and never looked back winning its first CIF baseball title in the school’s history.
The Mustangs (24-12) scored their lone run in the fourth inning when Braden Casady bunted home Austin Henning. Mira Costa’s offense was led by Henning who went 2 for 3.
