Story by Damien Leyva
Sports Writer
April 15 – Lancers at La Salle
PASADENA – T he Lancers clinched the Del Rey League title and completed their sweep of second place La Salle in a 14-1, five-inning mercy rule game Friday afternoon.
Although the previous meetings between the two teams had been close battles, Bishop Amat embarrassed the La Salle pitching with an offensive explosion. La Salle starter Garry Goebel lasted only less than two innings before giving up a 9-0 lead.
Jay Anderson started the hit parade with the bases loaded by jumping on the first pitch he saw for a grand slam.
Rio Ruiz continued his dominance at the plate with a two-run double and a three-run homerun.
Seniors Ryan Serrato and Seby Zavala also homered.
Amat’s clinic was embarrassing for La Salle Head Coach Harry Agajanian to watch.
“It was miserable,” Agajanian said in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. “It was disgusting and I’m embarrassed for our team and I’m embarrassed for myself and the school on our performance today.”
La Salle’s lone run was on a solo homerun by Michael Pedote in the bottom of the fifth. Their bats were silent for the rest of the game.
Bishop Amat improved to 8-0 in league and 14-2 overall as they prepare for the National Classic next week.
April 12 – Lancers vs. La Salle
LA PUENTE – The Bishop Amat Lancers came closer to clinching the Del Rey League title after a 3-2, extra-inning victory over league rival La Salle on Tuesday.
With two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, sophomore Adam Alcantara drove a 2-1 pitch to deep center field and his hustle turned the hit into a triple. Senior Brandon Castaneda, who also had a go-ahead hit against St. Paul last week, singled on a 2-2 pitch in the ninth to bring in Alcantara for the game-winning run.
The Lancers are now13-2 overall and remain undefeated in league.
“I think both teams had their chances,” Bishop Amat Coach Andy Nieto told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. “A big hit could have broken it up for either side. We left the bases loaded, they left the bases loaded. And maybe today you just tip your hat to the pitchers.”
Bishop Amat pitcher David Berg continued his dominance this season, striking out seven straight La Salle Lancers in a relief appearance. Berg and junior Rio Ruiz, making his second pitching appearance of the season, combined for 10 strikeouts to close the game out for the Lancers.
La Salle pitcher Bowdien Derby held the Lancers for as long as he could, striking out five batters and giving up only one earned run in seven innings.
Senior Seby Zavala and Alcantara each had RBI’s to give the Lancers their first two runs before La Salle tied it up on RBI single by Derby and Michael Pedote.
The La Salle Lancers fell to 5-2 in league play and 10-5 overall.
The Lancers hope to sweep the season series with La Salle on Friday.
April 8 – Lancers vs. St. Paul
LA PUENTE – Junior pitchers Daniel Zamora and Rio Ruiz combined to pitch a no-hitter in the Bishop Amat baseball’s 9-0 victory over Del Rey League rival St. Paul completing the Lancers’ three-game season series sweep over the Swordsmen.
The Lancers came into the season with several question marks with the pitching staff, causing many to question whether the team could win without a definite starter on the pitching staff.
But Zamora has answered these doubters by starting the season with a 2-1 record and a 1.93 ERA.
Amat has also started the season 11-2 overall and 5-0 in the Del Rey League.
Zamora was dominant on the mound, allowing only three base runners – two errors and a walk – in six inning. He also struck out six Swordsmen, who fell to 4-9 overall and 2-4 in league play.
“I’ve never thrown a no-hitter before,” said Zamora, who was disappointed he couldn’t finish the game on the mound. “It would have been nice to get my first one. But I understand. We have a big tournament coming up. I understand.”
Seniors Jay Anderson, Ryan Serrato, and Seby Zavala each had two RBI’s, leading the Lancers to a 7-0 lead by the fifth inning.
Amat Coach Andy Nieto was able to use Ruiz to close the game in the last inning to give him some work on the mound. He has spent most of the season at third base.
“We haven’t had the opportunity to get (Ruiz) some work, so part of our plan is try to use him and see if he can help us in that role,” Nieto said. “We’re looking at the big picture and how each game helps us to prepare for the next game and/or the playoffs.”
The Lancers look to continue their success against La Salle (10-3, 5-0) at home on Tuesday. The winner of the game will be alone on top of the Del Rey League standings.
April 5 – Lancers at St. Paul
SANTE FE SPRINGS- The Lancers were able to get the best of St Paul pitcher A.J. Gonzalez to beat their Del Rey League rivals 3-2 in the second of the three game season series.
Despite a stellar performance by Gonzalez, the Lancers were able to capitalize on Swordsmen mistakes and rode a combined pitching performance by seniors Jordan McCraney and David Berg to another victory over their rival.
The Swordsmen , who are now 2-3 in league and 4-8 overall, were playing with something to prove against the Lancers. They needed to prove that they were improving and were a team to beat in the Del Rey League despite their record.
“This is a frustrating loss because we’re getting better as a team,” St. Paul coach Casey Morales said. “Our record might not show it, but we’re not too far away.”
After a Gonzalez walk to Lancer pinch-hitter Andrew Gutierrez, he was able to move to second on a sacrifice bunt. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, senior Brandon Castaneda brought in Gutierrez on a tricky bouncer in between the Swordesmen first and second basemen.
After Jorge Zepeda hit a solo homerun off starter Jordan McCraney in the fourth, St. Paul was able to tie it in the sixth on a Lancer error.
The Lancers scored first in the top of the fourth when Lancer’s centerfielder Jay Anderson tripled in Ryan Serrato and Seby Zavala.
The Lancers, who are continuing to dominate with 10-2 record overall, remain undefeated in league with the victory. They will conclude the season series with St. Paul on Friday at Amat.
