The Story Behind Title for Canyons Is Revenge

The headline was taped to the third-base dugout wall at Blair Field in Long Beach--a reminder of what had happened last season at Cal State Fullerton, site of the 1985 California Community College Baseball Championships’ final game.

It read, “Canyons Overwhelmed By Cerritos.”

The motivational technique apparently worked. Favored to win the title, Canyons came close to elimination, entering the losers’ bracket Sunday after falling to Rancho Santiago, 11-6. Canyons had defeated Butte and Sacramento City in its first two games of the tournament, but against Rancho Santiago, disaster struck.

Canyons committed five errors, was outhit, 17-10, and Rancho Santiago pitchers Chris Shiflett and Wayne Gilles combined for nine strikeouts and stranded nine Canyons runners. Three Canyons pitchers, including starter Darrin Beer, who entered the tournament with a 13-1 record, had been roughed up.

Canyons had to beat Long Beach to earn a shot at Rancho Santiago for the state title. The Cougars responded with a 4-1 victory as pitcher Chris Zavatsky won his second game of the tournament. On Monday, Canyons needed to sweep two games against Rancho Santiago to win the championship.

When Vic Sotelo caught a Rueben Gonzalez pop-up in the 10th inning against Rancho Santiago, Canyons had its third state title.

In the first game, the Cougars beat Rancho Santiago, 7-6, with Frank Halcovich (15-0) on the mound.

“I had a little revenge in mind,” said Halcovich, who took the loss last season against Cerritos. Although revenge came against Rancho Santiago, he didn’t seem to mind. “Still, I was in the same situation last year and I lost. I had something to prove to myself. By far, that was the biggest game of my life. The game was mine, nobody could take it from me.”

The second game was Beer’s.

Beer came in and pitched seven innings to lead Canyons to a 10-inning, 7-5 win and the state championship.

The Cougars batted .300 in the tournament, and Pete Kuld, Scott Drury (three homers) and Don Erickson each had extra-base hits in crucial situations. But it was Canyons’ pitching--the biggest question mark of the tournament--that responded in the final hours.

Halcovich was named the 1986 player of the year. Gillespie was named the 1986 coach of the year. Right fielder Chris Cota celebrated Monday night by signing a contract with the Chicago White Sox.