The Santa Monica High School Vikings pounded the North Torrance Saxons 9-2 in what was probably their best game of the season. It was the second game of the Babe Herman Tournament and the Vikings played well – getting 9 runs on 12 hits.
Most notably, senior Mathew Stancil had four hits, one RBI and scored two runs, and junior David Tyre-vigil had two hits, three RBI and score two runs to lead the Vikings in their second win.
Senior Andrew Mcritchie pitched six solid innings giving up just one earned run on three hits and striking out five. Mcritchie was also credited with starting an important double play with runners on first and second and no outs – when he fielded a hard ground ball that was hit back to him. Twirling, he threw to second baseman, senior Nick Herrera, who pivoted while touching the bag and threw to first to beat the runner.
It was a key play because at the time it was 5-2 and it cut short the only offensive threat the Saxons were able to put together all game. The next batter hit a bloop single to right to bring home the run from third. Mcritchie facing the next hitter went into his stretch and caught a glimpse of the runner breaking for second. He threw to first and he was tagged out in a run down for the third out.
“Mcritchie pitched well. He threw strikes which allowed our defense to stay sharp and cut down on our errors. We were aggressive at the plate, not striking out, getting ahead in the count, putting the ball in play and forcing their defense to make plays,” said Coach Sheldon Philip-Guide. “They’re starting to believe in themselves and it’s making a huge difference.”
Sophmore Danny Galvan pitched the final half of the inning striking out two and getting the last hitter to hit back to him and he threw to first to end the game.
After two games in what is a possible five game tournament, the Vikings who could easily be 2-0 – after losing their first game in a tight one, 5-4 to the Crescenta Valley Falcons. But at 1-1 with two more games to play, they are still in the running for a fifth game. A game five will pit the two teams with the best record after four games against each other to determine the winner of the tournament.
Samohi is still in the running for the best record and resumes tournament play today April 5, at Santa Monica High playing the Oak Park Eagles at 3:15 p.m.
Tournament play resumes tomorrow April 5, at Santa Monica High with the Samohi Vikings playing the Oak Park Eagles at 3:15 p.m.
