Mira Costa spoiled Redondo’s Senior Day at Memorial Field Tuesday afternoon with a dramatic win to keep the Mustang’s hopes alive for a share of the Bay League baseball title.
Robert White singled home pinch runner Jason Schwartz in the top of the seventh inning to give Mira Costa a 5-4 victory and hand Redondo its first league loss of the season.
“It was a great team win,” White said. “We just love to compete. It’s a little bit of a funky field but we love playing here and against Redondo. They’re a complete team and we look forward to Thursday.”
Mira Costa (22-7, 7-2) will host Redondo (24-6, 8-1) Thursday at 3:15 p.m. in the regular-season finale for both teams. A win by the Mustangs would not only give them a sweep of their rivals, but would send the team into next week’s CIF playoffs as the Bay League’s No. 1 team and most likely move Mira Costa back into the CIF-Southern Section Division 3 top ten. Redondo entered the week ranked No. 2 in the division.
After Redondo shortstop Duncan McKinnon evened the score 4-4 with a two-out home run over the right-field wall in the bottom of the sixth inning, Dylan Tyrer began Mira Costa’s rally with a one-out single in the top of the final frame.
Schwartz pinch ran for Tyrer, moved to second on a groundout and advanced to third on a passed ball.
“It’s always fun to play Redondo,” said Tyrer, who went 3 for 4 with one RBI and a run scored. “”We’re playing really good ball right now and look forward to getting a share of the title.”
Redondo jumped out to an early lead scoring two runs in the first inning on RBI doubles by Jason Clebowicz and Danny Zimmerman and added one run in the second.
But Mira Costa starter Michael Rumpp settled down holding Redondo scoreless until McKinnon’s home run in the sixth inning. Rumpp allowed fours runs on nine hits with four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings of work.
Jessie Storey earned the win pitching only 1/3 inning and Trevor Franklin retired the side in the bottom of the seventh inning to preserve the victory.
“We were a little shocked at the beginning but we regrouped,” Rumpp said. “We play to win every game but this was special. We expect a great game Thursday and best of luck to both teams.”
Mira Costa tied the score in the third inning when Tyrer had an RBI double and Luke Jelmini followed with a two-run double.
Mira Costa held its first lead of the game after Brett Davis led off the fifth inning with a double and two misplayed bunts put the Mustangs on top 4-3.
Redondo reliever Cooper Gallion then worked out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam to keep the Sea Hawks close. He finished giving up two runs (one earned) on four hits while recording four strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.
Sea Hawk starter Jason Dicochea threw 2 2/3 innings surrendering three runs on three hits and a walk.
Zimmerman hit two doubles and had two walks, McKinnon went 2 for 3 and scored two runs and Clebowicz went 2 for 4 with one RBI for Redondo.
