From the start of the baseball season Santa Monica High coach Sheldon Philip-Guide has instructed his hitters to be patient.
There didn’t appear to be a lot of progress until recently, when the Vikings scored in double figures 10 times.
Santa Monica defeated Ocean League contender Beverly Hills twice last week, 18-7 and 13-3 and improved its Ocean League record to 7-1.
The only regular season games remaining are Tuesday and Thursday against Culver City with the league championship to be determined.
“The lessons are sinking in,” said Philip- Guide. “We can see the difference in practice’’
Alonzo Gonzalez and Andrew Montonari hit home runs against Beverly Hills. Montinari’s was a grand slam.
“He’s mot known as a power hitter, but he can drive the ball,” said Philip-Guide.
Asked about the quality of Beverly Hills’ pitching, which had been good enough to keep the team in a three-way tie for first place all season, Philip-Guide said it was good.
“Nothing was wrong with their pitching. It was our improved approach to hitting.”
Philip-Guide blames himself for it taking the entire season for the hitters to come around.
“It’s my first season and we could have used different methods earlier,” he said. “It’s a learning process for the coaches too.”
With its surge Samohi has clinched a berth in the CIF Playoffs. But the games with Culver City will determine playoff seedings.
MITCH CHORTKOFF
Mirror Sports Editorsports@smmirror.com
