One play can turn a season around.
Newport Harbor (9 & O) had the bases loaded with one out in the fourth inning.
Los Alamitos sat on a three-run lead. Newport’s dug-out was alive and noisy Los Alamitos starting pitcher #24 Kyle Ferranda had been using his fastball to escape some closer situations earlier.
The Newport Beach batter swung late on the fast ball and bounded the ball to the charging Los Al first base man Joey Wright.
Wright scooped the bounding ball, pivoted throwing a direct strike to the charging shortstop Frank Padulo crossing second base, and beamed the ball to the covering Kyle Ferranda at first base.
It was a sparkling double play that can spin a team into a winning spirited streak season. If there was, one person who enjoyed the double play more it was Coach Moore, who was overjoyed on this particular play.
“This play asserts what I have been teaching. This is what I want,” he shouted.
Starting pitcher Kyle Ferranda had a good fastball working against Newport Harbor at 90 to 88 mph thru out the game scattering hits with a few walks.
Kyle was pulled in the seventh inning, keeping the win, but was exhausted from running the bases in the sixth, and was relieved by “Stop-em Sam Lornzini. Ferranda.
It was fine defensive day for the outfield whose’ catches kept Los Alamitos well into the game. Los Alamitos coaching continue to run the base well behind the lead runner.
This type of coaching will keep Los Al in the game at all times throughout the season. Well! finally a successful bunt by Los Al was completed by #23 Joey Wright (batting.750%). An offensive weapon not used that often by Los Al.
Personally I like a team that bunts a lot. It keeps the defense on edge and it moves the runners. Wright’s bunt Caught Newport Harbor sleeping and off guard as no one was covering first base. Wright laid down a beauty of a bunt.
Varsity catcher Brad Hartong continues to have an excellent season, with over a 500% batting average, hitting the ball with men on is a plus to the Los Al offensive run production. One particular play that stood out was Brad strong pick-off throw from behind the plate to the “Shadow” Joey Wright who slipped behind the runner for the tag-out.
Besides good coaching the Los Alamitos Booster Club keeps amazing the team. Not only the show-up crowd remains around 25 to 30 fans. This season’s Griffins Baseball Program & Media Guide is a stunner. Definitely a coffee table item to be seen.
Kim Padulo (Freshman Frankie’s mom) has put a sincere time and effort into the organization and distribution of the media guide.
A compliment to EK General Contractors advertises as a proud sponsor and has shown their gratitude with the new locker room for the Varsity.
At the Griffin ballpark you will see several business banners hanging in the out-field, showing support for the Griffin Varsity Baseball team.
One fundraiser reminder coming up is the Griffins Baseball Golf tournament April 19, at Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach.
Sponsors’ and players are requested. Please contact Kelly Ford-Harris at (714) 828-9132 or at www.griffinbaseball.org.
