The baseball team earned its spot in the playoffs with two additional wins against Southwestern College’s Jaguars on May 5 and May 6.
In addition to the major win this weekend, the Warriors also have something else to celebrate as the All-South Coast Conference named seven players in the first and second team selections as well as honorable mentions.
“(All-SCC) Honors you for your accomplishments in the season, not that other players haven’t done anything to benefit the team, it just recognizes that other coaches recognize them as great players,” Tony Asaro, assistant coach, said.
Starting pitcher Alex Mistuloff, who has been pitching well all season, was chosen to the South Coast Conference first team, with fellow players second basemen Bryce Savage and outfielder Luke Klocek.
“I was excited for them as they worked hard all year to earn roles in the All-South Coast Conference Team,” Asaro, said.
Starting pitchers Drew Freeman and Rafael Ramirez were chosen for the All-SCC second team as well as third baseman Cole Trezek.
“I was excited to hear that I was made second team. It is awesome that I played well enough to be recognized in that matter,” Trezek, sophomore third baseman, said.
Honorable mentions by All-SCC were given to sophomore Ronnie Galosic, freshman Daniel Timmerman and Austin Watters.
During the May 5 game at Southwestern College, the Warriors earned four runs in the top of the first inning, gaining a lead early in the game.
“(Runs early on) released a little bit of pressure on us,” Asaro added.
Keeping the momentum going they earned an additional run in the sixth with an RBI by sophomore infielder Atlee Schwab and a triple by Marvin Flores in the seventh inning earning two RBIs for Ronnie Galosic and Cole Trezek.
The first playoff game was a win for the Warriors, 8-6.
“I think the first game of the series was really important. It gives the pressure toward the other team and allows the players to relax a bit, playing at the top level,” Asaro said.
The Warriors’ May 6 game, again at Southwestern College, was slow to earn runs up until the bottom of the fifth when Klocek doubled, advancing him to third, earning RBIs by Timmerman and Marvin Flores.
“I think it was a turning point in the game, we were down one run and Luke did a great job at the pitch, he really helped us out in the offense and the rest of the inning,” Asaro said.
The Warriors gained an additional run in the eighth inning and by the ninth, the Jaguars failed to earn any additional runs as they hit ground balls and strike outs.
The Warriors won their second of two games, 4-1.
“Southwestern wasn’t an easy opponent; they were a good team,” Sean Isaac, freshman first baseman, said. “We’re on a roll right now, we have to keep it up, we’re not over confident, we just want to continue to play as we’re playing,” he added.
Friday through Sunday, the Warriors will start off Super Regional Playoffs with a game against Santa Ana College.
The Super Regionals will be the deciding game to the Final Four State Championship.
“We believe it was something to accomplish, every day we practice, we pretend and go through the motions to win,” Asaro said. “I don’t think the pressure increases at all, in reality it’s the same baseball game we play every day.”
