SOUTHERN SECTION 5-A BASEBALL PLAYOFFS : Esperanza’s Bowman Gets Section Record With 12th Save

Senior right-hander Jeff Bowman set a Southern Section single-season record with his 12th save as Esperanza defeated Loyola of Los Angeles, 7-2, Tuesday in the second round of the 5-A playoffs on the Aztecs’ field.

Bowman, making his 21st appearance, replaced starter Joe Foss with a runner on in the top of the fifth and Esperanza ahead, 6-2. Relying almost exclusively on a sharp-breaking curve, Bowman retired all nine Cubs he faced--three on strikeouts--to preserve the Aztecs’ lead.

Two others shared the previous save record of 11, William Richardson of Tehachapi (1987) and Eddie Marquez of Bosco Tech (1989).

Foss, a senior right-hander who had excellent command of his slow curve and changeup, allowed only four Loyola hits, including John Mastandrea’s two-run home run in the fourth, and struck out five to improve to 9-1.

The Aztecs, ranked No. 1 in the nation by USA Today, improved to 25-2 and will travel to play Baldwin Park in a quarterfinal Friday. The Cubs, second-place finishers in the Angelus League, close at 12-12.

“I like bringing Bowman in because when his curveball is nasty, no one can hit it,” said Esperanza Coach Mike Curran. “He throws mostly breaking balls, but about 75% of his pitches are strikes.”

That is what most impressed Loyola Coach Kelly Nicholson about Bowman and Foss. Both are junk-ball pitchers, but the Cubs managed only one walk Tuesday.

“They did a great job throwing breaking pitches for strikes all day long,” Nicholson said. “Any time you can do that on any level, you’re going to be successful.”

And any time you score six runs in an early inning, chances are you’re going to be successful. Esperanza bunched five of its eight hits during a six-run third, which was highlighted by Jon Pitts’ two-out, two-run double and Brian Harman’s two-out, two-run single.

Reid Pullen, who hit two homers in Esperanza’s first-round victory over Santa Monica, began the rally by reaching on an error. Erickson Dumaual singled to right, and Mark Allen loaded the bases with an infield single.

Keith McDonald’s liner caromed off Loyola pitcher Todd Singelyn’s leg and into left field for a two-run single and a 2-0 lead. Allen took third on the hit, and McDonald took second on the throw.

After an intentional walk to Jason Hodges loaded the bases, it appeared the Cubs might avoid the big inning when third baseman Scott Petty fielded Rich Hills’ grounder, touched the bag for a forceout and threw McDonald out at home for a double play.

But Pitts doubled off the right-center field fence for two runs, and David Newhan was hit by a pitch. Both advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Harman’s single to right.