South Stuns North, 7-6, in Bay Final

North Torrance High Coach Mike Neily says each baseball game provides an opportunity for learning, no matter what the outcome.

So, even though Neily was disappointed in North’s 7-6 loss Thursday at South Torrance, he thinks the Saxons received an education in their final game of the regular season.

“Maybe this is a reminder that if you don’t do the little things, if you don’t put a team away when you have the chance, then you’re not going to win,” Neily said. “We had won five straight and now we’ve been victorious in nine of our last 10 games, so maybe you can say this loss will motivate us.”

North, the Bay League champion, will represent the league as the No. 1 entry when Southern Section 5-A playoffs get under way next week, and Neily thinks the team is on course.

The Saxons have a strong starting pitcher in right-hander Greg Davis, who is 8-4 with a 1.31 ERA, while the No. 2 starter, Rory Natividad, is 4-0 with a 2.14 ERA and two saves.

North’s offense was given a boost recently when hard-hitting shortstop Anthony Anetema returned after missing nearly two months with a shoulder injury suffered in early March.

Davis, Anetema and cleanup hitter Jim Henderson provide the Saxons with punch, while leadoff hitter Brian Dessert and second batter Tony Pruett are expected to get on base.

“Dessert has hit over .300 all year and has an on-base percentage of over .500,” Neily said. “Any good team needs a good leadoff hitter to get them going, and he’s done the job for us.

“We look for Anetema, Davis and Henderson to provide the power, and we look for the other guys to put the ball in play.”

On Thursday, South pitcher Jason Butcher stifled North for most of the game, then had to stave off a Saxon rally to earn the win.

Butcher (4-4) gave up four hits before the seventh inning, but Brian Wixom’s two-out, two-run homer brought North to within striking distance. However, Butcher induced Ron Mataali to ground out to end the game.

“After the home run, I was a little shook up, but I had confidence the whole way,” said Butcher, a senior. “We just wanted a good way to end our high school careers.”

Butcher helped himself at the plate in the Spartans’ four-run sixth with a two-run double off loser Anetema. Zak Krislock, who had three hits for South, also singled in two runs.

North took a 1-0 lead in the fifth when Dessert scored on a fielder’s choice. South scored twice in the second. Greg Baer homered to lead off the inning and Brent Hannon singled home Krislock one out later.

Anetema singled home Dessert in the third and later scored on an error to give North the lead.

Krislock scored in the fourth on Andy MacTaggert’s single to tie the score.