Santa Monica High brought a 7-7 record into the opening week of the Ocean League baseball season, a major accomplishment following an 0-4 start.
“I thought we’d never get there,” said Coach Sheldon Philip-Guide. “Every time we came within a game something happened.”
But the Vikings broke through when they defeated Crossroads Friday night, April 9 in a night game at Clover Park, 5-2. Adam Padilla pitched six strong innings and struck out nine and Alonzo Gonzalez hit his first home run of the season.
Samohi had defeated Notre Dame, 4-3 in the previous game. In two prior games it had defeated Buena, 3-2 on a strong pitching performance by junior Andrew McRitchie and lost, 9-1 to Jesuit of Carmichael.
Samohi was scheduled to face Hawthorne twice to begin its 10-game league schedule. Philip-Guide indicated his two starting pitchers would be Gonzalez and Ethan Corn.
Centerfielder Mikey Smith has returned to the team following spring break.
The loss to Santa Monica capped a dreadful week for Crossroads, which had a 6-1 record, but found itself short of pitching in a tournament setting.
Crossroads lost to Grace Brethren 12-1, to host Santa Ynez 15-2, another game 10-0 and absorbed a forfeit loss to Hawthorne when it ran out of pitchers.
“We had our chances against Santa Monica but couldn’t break through,” said Crossroads co-coach Pat Armstrong.
“Alonzo’s home run came on an 0-2 pitch. That’s a mistake that shouldn’t be made. But we’re a young, developing team rather than a finished product.”
Crossroads was scheduled for a non-league game Tuesday afternoon at Clover Park against New Roads. It’s one week away from league games.
Josh Fkyer, who had six strikeouts in three innings against Santa Monica but gave up two runs, is gradually workjng his way back from an arm injury. Holden Miller was Crossroads’ starter against Santa Monica.
MITCH CHORTKOFF
Mirror Sports Editorsports@smmirror.com
