Baseball teams play tough foes, prepare for tough league battle

Senior Drew Dalquist is one of two standout starting pitchers for a talented Redondo team. Photo

Gearing up for their runs at a Bay League title, the baseball teams from Mira Costa and Redondo continue to prepare as they continue their highly-competitive non-league schedules.

As inclement weather begins to diminish allowing teams to get into their groove, Redondo entered the week with an impressive 11-3 record while Mira Costa looks to improve on their 9-4 start.

Both teams have outstanding two outstanding starting pitchers who will lead their teams toward the final week of the regular season when the two rival teams face each other twice in home-and-away games (Apr. 23 and 25).

Redondo is led by senior pitchers Drew Dalquist and Jake Thau.

“They have been dominant thus far and both give a chance to win every day,” Coach Andy Diver said. “Combined they have an 8-0 record and together have 94 strikeouts in only 56 innings pitched.”

Dalquist’s velocity is consistently in the 92-94 mph range, making him a high draft prospect although he is committed to attend the University of Arizona in the fall.

“”I think he will have a major decision to make in terms of school or pro ball,” Diver said. “I tell him to enjoy the ride, work hard, and stay hungry and humble. He has, and has emerged as a team leader along with being an elite student with a 4.2 gpa.”

Offensively, the Sea Hawks are getting production from Brett McCauley, who is hitting .591, and Christian Dicochea who is hitting .449.

Redondo is also getting strong contributions from senior starters Theo Forshey (.417), Max Zamarripa (.353) ,along with newcomers Patrick Stark (.350) and Conner Corlette (.440).

“We have done a better job lately of putting some real competitive at bats together, which becomes a result of more runs scored,” Diver said. “We talk all the time about playing with energy and excitement, and we are starting to do that on a more consistent basis. When it all clicks, we have a chance to be real good.”

Redondo defeated Saugus 13-3 in the second round of the Redondo Tournament on Saturday and will return to league play Wednesday and Thursday with away and home games against Leuzinger.

The Sea Hawks will be playing in the National Classic at Amerige Park in Fullerton Apr.1-4, opening with a top-ranked national school in IMG Academy from Florida. Redondo returns to play a very well coached West Torrance team, and then the battle for the Bay League.

“Palos Verdes, Peninsula and Mira Costa will all be great challenges for us, they are all great programs,” Diver added. “We plan to take it one day at a time, work hard, stay humble, and get excited for each others success.”

Back-to-back league champion Mira Costa finished the 2018 season with a 28-4 record, winning over 20 games in each of the last four years.

The Mustangs began play in the highly-competitive Boras Classic on Tuesday with 6-2 victory over Cypress, the top-ranked team in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 poll.

After giving up a 2-run home run in the first inning, Mira Costa pitcher Christian Bodlovich three six shutout innings for the win. He helped himself in the third inning hitting a home run that proved to be the game winning run.

The Mustangs take on La Mirada Wednesday in a 6 p.m. game at Mater Dei. The winner will advance to play the Corona-Simi Valley winner in the semifinals on Thursday. The championship game is slated for 6 p.m. Friday at JSerra Catholic High School.

Mira Costa won the Boras State championship in 2016 with a 7-4 victory over Northern champion Davis.

Last week, Mira Costa got off to an impressive start in the Bay League race defeating Palos Verdes 9-1 and 5-1 behind strong pitching from starters Christian Bodlovich and Jared Karros.

“From a pitching standpoint, I’ve been very proud of our ability to compete in the strike zone and give our team a chance to win,” Coach Keith Ramsey said. “We’ve had contributions from many different guys and I’m proud of the depth we are building both this year and for future years.

“Along with Bodlovich and Karros, newcomers Jakob Newman, Billy Bzura and Jonah Storey have had terrific performances. We are excited that Merrick Baldo is back for our league season.”

Chase Meidroth has been a stalwart both offensively and defensively. Kyle Karros and Dylan Dennis are getting hot at the right time while Nick Carpino has been a steadying force in center field and been solid at the plate.

“Nick Bacura has been a rock behind the plate and I feel like our team is starting to gel at the right time,” Ramsey said. “We play a very competitive schedule, already participating in the Newport Elks Tournament and now the Boras Classic. There are definitely no layups in our non-league schedule.

Comments:

comments so far. Comments posted to EasyReaderNews.com may be reprinted in the Easy Reader print edition, which is published each Thursday.