Notre Dame Sends Taft in Search of an Arm, 12-5
After Taft had lost to Notre Dame, 12-5, in its season opener Thursday, Taft Coach Art Martinez knew that his Toreadors were in need of better pitching.
“It’s been a sore spot ever since I’ve been coaching the team,” Martinez said. “We’ve had some great players come through here, but we’ve never really had a great pitching staff.”
Notre Dame, ranked No. 10 in the Southern Section 4-A, took notice, routing five Taft pitchers for 13 hits, including two home runs, while being walked eight times.
The Knights were solid on offense, but struggled in the field, committing three errors--two in the first two innings.
“I knew our strength would be our offense,” said Notre Dame Coach John Barrett. “I’m sure its partly because they were nervous, but on a couple of plays guys made errors that they’ve played long enough not to make.”
Taft tied the game at two in the bottom of the first on a Notre Dame error and a single by Todd Grayson.
Notre Dame’s Brian Woolley hit a home run in the second inning, knocking the ball over the left fielder’s head. The Knights led, 6-2, entering the fourth after John Perak hit a single to left field that scored Rex McMackin and Roger Nix. Perak scored on a double to left field.
Taft did not score until the sixth, and added two more runs in the final inning when Walker Ozar homered to left field, driving in Howard Pechter.
Notre Dame scored six times since the third, including two seventh-inning runs by Nix and Perak.
Mike Peterson, who pitched the first four innings for the Knights, gave up two runs on five hits, while walking two and striking out four.
Peterson and Joe Kane, who pitched the last three innings, accounted for only six strike outs. The Knights’ pitching coach, Jeff Moscaret, wasn’t disappointed with the total.
“I don’t think we’re capable of striking out 10 guys a game,” Moscaret said. “We’ll be OK if we come up with strong pitching when we need it.”
Notre Dame is 1-0, and Taft is 0-1.
Taft finished with 11 hits, but failed to utilize its opportunities by stranding nine men on base.