SOUTHERN SECTION BASEBALL PLAYOFFS : 2-A : Capistrano Valley Shows Its Power : Cougars Hit Four Home Runs in 6-1 Win Over Tustin

After playing 12 games this season that were decided by one run, Capistrano Valley High School’s baseball team played long ball Tuesday in its Southern Section 2-A playoff game against Tustin.

The Cougars hit four home runs, including two by designated hitter Brian Walker, en route to a 6-1 victory over the Tillers at Capistrano Valley. The victory moves the second-seeded Cougars (24-3) into the quarterfinals Friday against Central of El Centro. Tustin finished 16-10.

All of Capistrano Valley’s runs in the opening three innings came on home runs. Center fielder Marcel Durand smashed a two-run homer in the first inning off losing pitcher Monte Roberts (7-3) and Walker followed with a solo homer for a 3-0 lead.

Tommy Adams connected on a chin-high fastball in the second inning for his ninth home run. The two-run shot cleared the center-field fence and moved the Cougars ahead, 5-0. Walker’s second homer in the third was the longest of the day and came off relief pitcher Craig Morrison.

Cougar starter Lance August (6-1) allowed only five hits. August kept the Tillers off-balance by throwing primarily curveballs. The Tillers scored in the fourth on Walt McMahon’s run-scoring double.

“It was nice to see the kids come out swinging the bats after all those close, low-scoring games we’ve played this year,” said Bob Zamora, Capistrano Valley coach. “We haven’t hit that many home runs in a game all season. I was really surprised.”

Walker, a left-handed hitter, led the Cougars’ eight-hit attack with two home runs and a double. McMahon had two hits for the Tillers.

“Tustin is a good hitting team that lives in the batting cages, so I’m proud of the way Lance August pitched today,” Zamora said. “I wish we were playing games tomorrow, Thursday and Friday. We’re rolling.”

It also wouldn’t hurt the Cougars’ chances of winning their second baseball championship since 1983 if they had more playoff games at home.

Capistrano Valley is 14-0 at home, including two consecutive playoff victories.

“They’re the best hitting ballclub we’ve faced all year,” said Vince Brown, Tustin coach. “I don’t think we played that poorly, but they took away our ballgame. August did a great job of pitching and they hit some shots.”