Orange County Prep Baseball : Cook’s Fence-Aided Hit Leads Mater Dei Over Servite

Servite High School’s only earned run was just what the Friars needed to beat Mater Dei, 5-4, Thursday in an Angelus League game on Red Patterson Field in Anaheim.

Todd Cook hit a looping double to right-center in the bottom of the seventh inning that barely eluded Mater Dei center fielder Jim Zaccari, scoring teammate Mike Petko with the winning run.

Cook got a big assist from the Servite weight room, which intersects center field at the 306-foot mark. Zaccari was playing to the right of the fence that separates the weight room from the field and had to race about 10 feet around the barrier before getting a line on Cook’s winning hit.

“Before we put the fence up this year, an outfielder could follow any ball to right-center no matter where he played,” said Mike McNary, Servite coach. “Now, if he’s playing in left-center, he has to go around the fence to pick up a long fly ball hit to his left.”

Despite the odd configuration of the Servite field, the Monarchs really had only themselves to blame for the loss. They committed four errors that led to four unearned runs and slipped to 3-2 in league play and 7-4 overall.

Sophomore starter Bill Brockschmidt (1-2) pitched well for the Monarchs, but the defensive play behind him was shabby.

“If we would have played some defense, he would have won the game,” said Bob Ickes, Mater Dei coach. “Errors have been a problem for us all season. It seems when our pitchers are on, we’re off defensively and vice versa.”

Brockschmidt’s lack of support began in the first inning when right fielder Jim Austin dropped a fly ball that allowed two runs to score. Shortstop Kevin O’Connor was responsible for two more unearned runs when he misplayed ground balls in third and fourth innings.

Servite (4-0, 9-1) had only six hits off Brockschmidt through six innings. The Friars suffered a defensive lapse of their own in the top of seventh inning which allowed Mater Dei to tie the score.

Friar second baseman Mike Cornelius’ throwing error allowed the Monarchs’ leadoff batter to reach safely and then relief pitcher Andy Croghan slipped while attempting to field a bunt, giving Mater Dei two runners on with no outs.

The Monarchs tied the score, 4-4, on Zaccari’s single to center, but they lost an opportunity for a big inning when pinch runner Matt Spence was the victim of a hidden-ball trick and was picked off second base.

“Loara used that play against us in the playoffs last year, and I liked it so much, I added it to our repertoire,” McNary said. “We got a little lucky today.”

In Academy League play:

Newport Christian 12, Heritage Christian 7--Donovan Whitworth went 2 for 2 with two RBIs and two runs scored, and also pitched 4 innings to earn the victory, as the Conquerors (4-1, 7-1) defeated the Patriots (1-3) at Anaheim’s Brookhurst Park.