Reporting from Glendale — Playing in his final game for the Hoover High baseball team, Dustin Wilson wanted to make an impact.
The senior catcher did just that with his bat and his speed.
Wilson finished with two hits and three stolen bases – including one of home – to propel visiting Hoover to a 6-3 Pacific League victory against cross-town rival Glendale on Friday in the season finale for both squads.
Wilson also drove in a run to help Hoover (5-16, 2-12 in league for seventh place) complete the two-game season sweep of Glendale (2-21-2, 1-13). Hoover posted a 2-1 win against Glendale on Tuesday, its first win of league play and the first of a winning streak to end a season largely of struggles on a high note.
“Before every at-bat today, I just tried to picture what I needed to do and just stay relaxed,” Wilson said. “You want to end the season well and we were able to do that.
“I was able to put the ball in play and make things happen.”
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Hoover High School baseball player #5 John Paul Gallegos slides in and scores a run in game vs. Glendale High School at the Dynamiters’ home field in Glendale on Friday, May 12, 2017. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
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Glendale High School baseball player #25 Matthew Bejanian slides in and scores a run as catcher #17 Dustin Wilson waits for the throw in game vs. Hoover High School at the Dynamiters’ home field in Glendale on Friday, May 12, 2017. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
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Hoover High School baseball player #2 Nathien Rivera hustles around second base for a triple in game vs. Glendale High School at the Dynamiters’ home field in Glendale on Friday, May 12, 2017. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
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Glendale High School baseball player #2 Bryce Wong connects with the ball and safe at first base in game vs. Hoover High School at the Dynamiters’ home field in Glendale on Friday, May 12, 2017. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
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Hoover High School baseball player #5 John Paul Gallegos is able to turn a double play from second to first base to retire the side in game vs. Glendale High School at the Dynamiters’ home field in Glendale on Friday, May 12, 2017. (Raul Roa / StafF Photographer)
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Glendale High School baseball player #33 Andrew Tinoco reaches third base easily for a triple in game vs. Hoover High School at the Dynamiters’ home field in Glendale on Friday, May 12, 2017. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
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Hoover High School baseball player #2 Nathien Rivera hits a triple in game vs. Glendale High School at the Dynamiters’ home field in Glendale on Friday, May 12, 2017. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
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Glendale High School baseball player #33 Andrew Tinoco gets the throw in on time to get #17 Dustin Wilson out at first base in game vs. Hoover High School at the Dynamiters’ home field in Glendale on Friday, May 12, 2017. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
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Hoover High School baseball player #23 Raymond Gejudo rounds second base in game vs. Glendale High School at the Dynamiters’ home field in Glendale on Friday, May 12, 2017. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
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Glendale High School baseball player #2 Bryce Wong is safe at first base in game vs. Hoover High School at the Dynamiters’ home field in Glendale on Friday, May 12, 2017. After arguing with the umpire, Hoover High School coach Dan Dipetta was ejected and escorted from the field. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
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Hoover High School baseball coach Don Dipetta argues a call and is ejected by the umpire in game vs. Glendale High School at the Dynamiters’ home field in Glendale on Friday, May 12, 2017. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
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Glendale High School baseball player #25 Matthew Bejanian is congratulated after sliding in for a run in game vs. Hoover High School at the Dynamiters’ home field in Glendale on Friday, May 12, 2017. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
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Hoover High School baseball player #3 Fredy Sanchez throws in game vs. Glendale High School at the Dynamiters’ home field in Glendale on Friday, May 12, 2017. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
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Glendale High School baseball player #33 Andrew Tinoco slides in and scores a run as catcher #17 Dustin Wilson gets a late throw in game vs. Hoover High School at the Dynamiters’ home field in Glendale on Friday, May 12, 2017. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
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Hoover High School baseball pitcher #3 Fredy Sanchez tries to catch the runner #12Nolan Wong at first base but his throw is a little late to #20 Matthew Jovel in game vs. Glendale High School at the Dynamiters’ home field in Glendale on Friday, May 12, 2017. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
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Glendale High School baseball pitcher #5 Trent Lousararian throws in game vs. Hoover High School at the Dynamiters’ home field in Glendale on Friday, May 12, 2017. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
With the contest deadlocked at 3 entering the fifth, Hoover pulled away.
A single by Isaac Zamarripa brought home John Paul Gallegos to make it 4-3. Wilson then stole home on a double steal to give the Tornadoes a 5-3 lead while Zamarripa swiped second.
“I’m on third base and I just waited to see if the catcher would throw the ball past the pitcher,” Wilson said. “Then, I just took off for home to score.”
Wilson scored an insurance run in the seventh on a single from David Diaz.
Hoover starting pitcher Fredy Sanchez went the distance, allowing nine hits and striking out four. Glendale starter Trent Lousararian allowed just five hits, but five runs in five innings.
Hoover and Glendale battled back and forth in the first three innings, each scoring three runs.
The Tornadoes took a 1-0 lead in the second on an odd play. With Diaz on third base, the Glendale catcher threw the ball over the head of Lousararian following a pitch for an error, allowing Diaz to score.
The Nitros scored two runs in the second. Lousararian tied it at 1 on a single to bring in Armando Alvarez and a sacrifice fly to left by Jason Rangel scored Matthew Benjanian to make it 2-1.
On the next play, Bryce Wong registered an infield single. After the umpire ruled Wong safe, Hoover first-year Coach Don Dipetta came onto the field to argue the call. Dipetta was then ejected from the game following a brief discussion.
“The umpire thought he was safe and I thought he was out,” Dipetta said. “I have a pretty strong baseball background and I thought the call was wrong.
“I’m glad that we were able to finish up on a winning note. I saw a lot of growth from our guys the last week. We’ve battled through some tough things and it’s been a pretty challenging season.”
Hoover got two runs in the third to take a 3-2 lead. Wilson tied it at 2 on a sacrifice fly to left and a fielder’s choice by Zamarripa scored Gallegos to give the Tornadoes a 3-2 lead.
Glendale tied it at 3 in the third on a fielder’s choice by Nolan Wong that scored Andrew Tinoco.
Glendale first-year Coach Kevin Chan said the Friday’s contest was a microcosm of the Nitros’ season.
“The game went just as our season did,” said Chan, whose team made three errors. “We are in some of the games and then we make errors. Maybe it’s from a lack of focus. Hoover capitalized on the errors.
“We definitely had a young and inexperienced team. Trent pitched a good game. He’s been an ace in a way because he’s done a real good job at keeping us in games. We just haven’t given him much support.”
Hoover received two hits from Gallegos. Lousararian contributed two hits for Glendale.
charles.rich@latimes.com
Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich
