The562’s high school baseball and softball coverage for the 2022 season is sponsored by LBUSD Board of Education Member Megan Kerr
The562’s coverage of Cabrillo Athletics is sponsored by the Cohn Family
With the end of the season in sight, every game matters down the stretch.
Cabrillo and Compton played a classic Moore League game on Thursday with the Jaguars season on the line. Momentum shifted back and forth through the first couple innings, before finally settling down in favor of Cabrillo. The Jaguars were able to pour it on in the end 12-5.
With a total of five lead changes through just the first four innings, neither team was able to hold on to a comfortable lead.
After the game, Cabrillo coach Phillip Berman talked about Compton’s ability to keep the game close.
“Compton did a great job,” he said. “They made it really tough and almost gave me a heart attack today.”
Compton’s biggest lead came in the third inning when they loaded the bases off two walks and a single from Oscar Mata. Jose Gonzalez then delivered a two-RBI single to take a one run lead. Later in the inning, Jacob Garcia also had a RBI single to score Eric Mata and make the lead 5-3.
It looked like Compton was walking away with a comfortable lead through their scoring rampage in the third, but Cabrillo had other plans with pitcher Jesus Baron. He gave the team everything they needed and more, closing out the inning before shutting Compton out through the remainder of the game.
“It’s the same approach as always,” Baron said. “Just throw some strikes, pound the zone, and let my defense help me out.”
“You give them free base runners, you walk them, you hit guys, that’s just how Compton hangs around. Thankfully he came in and shut the door for us,” Berman said of Baron.
Baron ended the game with six strikeouts, including a strikeout of the last two batters to end the game.
Baron had help from his defense including first baseman Carlos Monreal who had a quick pickoff of a runner at first base to close out the fifth inning. Monreal also had it going at the plate, hitting an RBI double and two two RBI singles.
“He’s our leader,” Berman said of Monreal. “He’s our heart and soul and he leaves it all out there all the time. Without his energy who knows where we would’ve been.”
Unfortunately, Monreal’s successful was cut short midway through the sixth after suffering a back injury.
“He’s been there all year for us. He got banged up today but hopefully we can get him back here pretty soon,” said Berman.
In order to extend their season into the playoffs, the Jaguars will need to pull through with some wins with some help from other teams. Cabrillo would need a win over Jordan and Poly, as well as a win from Millikan over Poly.
“We’re just gonna have fun and enjoy it,” said Berman. “We got two weeks left as a team and we gotta do everything we can and play for each other. We’ll see what happens coming down the last week of Moore League play.”
Cabrillo will play away at Norwalk next Thursday. Compton will visit Wilson on Monday.
