High School Baseball Roundup : Mission Bay Convinces USDHS

Mission Bay High had won or shared the City Western League title six years in a row and faced an opportunity to win another outright title Wednesday at home against rival University of San Diego High.

The Buccaneers jumped all over it. Five runs in the first inning, two more in the second, and No. 2 Mission Bay (23-3, 14-1) cruised into the playoffs with a 9-0 victory that earned a first-round bye. No. 5 USDHS, which will advance as the league’s second team, fell to 20-5, 12-3.

In the first two innings, Mission Bay scored seven runs on six hits and one USDHS error. All nine batters contributed either a run or an RBI.

The Buccaneers also received another fine outing from senior Jim Thomas (10-1, 1.39 earned run average). Thomas pitched a five-hitter (two in the seventh) and struck out five, including the Dons’ cleanup hitter, Tony Moeder, four times.

In addition to timely hitting and terrific pitching, the Mission Bay turned in two double plays and at least two other fine fielding plays.

“We played really well, above all expectations,” said Dennis Pugh, Mission Bay’s coach. “We kind of played a perfect game, and we picked the right game to do it.”

Said Dick Serrano, the Dons coach who won five consecutive league titles of his own before Mission Bay began its streak: “They outperformed us. The first inning was the key. They came right at us.”

Mike McKesson led off with a walk from junior starter Tom Shanner (7-1) and stole second. Pat Betancourt lined a single to right, scoring McKesson. After a hard-hit groundout and a walk, sophomore Gavin Millay replaced Shanner.

Millay got Thomas to ground out, but it scored Betancourt. Three more runs were scored on an RBI single by Tom Lafever, a single by Sean Darrock and a two-run double by Brian Miranda.

Three of Mission Bay’s four other runs were driven in by Tony Lennan (two for four).

Mission Bay, the defending section 2-A champion, has lost only to USDHS, No. 1 Mt. Carmel and Francis Parker in the first game of the Lions tournament. After the Parker loss, Pugh said it was the worst day of coaching he has had in 10 years at Mission Bay.

In retrospect, he said, “It was the best thing that ever happened to us. From then on we came together. This team has really surprised me.”