Morgan Hill
– Live Oak baseball coach Mark Cummins had to fight last year at
the meeting to determine in which division of the Blossom Valley
Athletic League to place teams.
Morgan Hill – Live Oak baseball coach Mark Cummins had to fight last year at the meeting to determine in which division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League to place teams.
With a strong history of success, he was looking for his team to compete in the “A” division, but some thought the Acorns might be better suited for the “B” division.
Cummins won the argument and his Acorns, whose season ended Thursday with a 2-1 loss to Santa Cruz in the Central Coast Section Division II playoffs, proved all year they deserved their placement by earning the Mt. Hamilton Division co-championship.
“That was a big accomplishment,” Cummins said of the league title.
And with only three starters graduating, Cummins expects more of the same next season, although he’ll miss the leadership of this year’s seniors.
“We have a great young group. They’ll go on to bigger and better things,” he said. “But this year, our seniors Cameron Willis, Eddie Perez and Blaine Sutton, all provided great leadership throughout the season.”
For much of Thursday’s season-ending loss, there was little reason for hope for Live Oak (19-8).
The No. 6 seed Acorns had accumulated just two hits and watched the No. 11 Cardinals grab an early lead and nurse it behind the stellar pitching of Dayne Quist.
In the seventh, Quist lost some control and Live Oak mounted its only rally of the game, but it wasn’t enough to extend the season.
“That was a great game, it was a good high school baseball game,” Cummins said. “They cashed in on their opportunity. You have to give credit to their pitcher (Quist).”
With Live Oak facing the two-run deficit entering the final inning, Anthony Austin – who had been hit by the pitch in his first two at-bats – lined a ball back up the box and into center field. Gabriel Mancias entered as a pinch-runner and Alika Bantilan hit a soft liner that hit off the tip of the first baseman’s glove. Mancias had to hold up and when the ball landed, he was forced out at second. Anthony Macadaeg took over as a pinch-runner at first for Bantilan and moved to second when pinch-hitter Joe Forestieri walked.
Mike Devine then locked up with Quist for an epic battle that featured seven pitches and several time outs and pick off attempts before Devine lined a single to left field to plate Macadaeg with the Acorns’ first run.
“That was clutch,” Cummins said.
With Stephen Rodriguez, who had re-entered the game to run for Forestieri, at third as the tying run, leadoff hitter Willis hit a ball that initially looked ticketed for center field. But the ball was slowed down in the infield and Santa Cruz shortstop Dylan Gavin ranged over, fielded it and stepped on second for the force to end it.
“We knew we’d have it in us at the end (to mount a rally),” Cummins said. “We were like that all year.”
Santa Cruz (21-9-1) got all the offense it would need in the second inning off junior right-hander Matthew Cummins, who pitched a complete-game four-hitter. Winston Amaro led off with a walk and scored on a double by Pat Freeman. Matt England followed with a single to center that bounced off the fielder’s glove to allow Freeman to score with the second run.
From then on, Quist was dealing and also finished a complete-game four-hitter.
“He was keeping the ball away, mixing it up,” Coach Cummins said of the Santa Cruz lefty. “We were trying to use the whole field but they made the plays. They’re a good team. The 11th seed doesn’t do them justice.”
The Cardinals advance to the quarterfinals and will face No. 3 Monterey at 10am Saturday at Washington Park in Santa Clara.
Live Oak, which was making its 16th straight CCS playoff appearance, has now dropped its last four first-round games. It’s last playoff win was a 6-3 victory over Oak Grove in 2003.
“It’s been frustrating,” Cummins said. “We seem to always have to face tough pitchers. There’s been a lot of close games. When you get to this tournament, everybody’s pretty tough.”
Santa Cruz was eliminated Saturday after a 1-0 loss to No. 3 Monterey
Santa Cruz 020 000 0 – 2 4 0
Live Oak 000 000 1 – 1 4 1
Quist and Amaro. Cummins and Perez. WP – Quist, LP – Cummins.
RBIs – P. Freeman (SC), Devine (LO). 2B – P. Freeman, Gavin (SC).
