SOUTH COAST LEAGUE BASEBALL ROUNDUP : Mater Dei’s McDonald Pitches One-Hit Shutout

Considering the success Mater Dei’s baseball team enjoys annually, the Monarchs didn’t need a fanfare introduction when they joined the South Coast League this season.

Mike McDonald provided one anyway.

McDonald pitched a one-hitter and drove in what proved to be the winning run to lead the visiting Monarchs to a 4-0 victory over Capistrano Valley, defending South Coast League champion, in their league opener Monday.

“There was no doubt they would be good in this league. They’re a great team,” said Coach Bob Zamora of Capistrano Valley (4-2). “Whenever McDonald is on the mound, they’re really nails.”

McDonald’s pitching line was stellar: no runs, one hit, two walks and seven strikeouts. Most impressive, though, was when he got out of the fourth inning unscathed after giving up a lead-off triple to Capistrano Valley pitcher Pete Zamora.

“I knew they had good hitters,” said McDonald, who relied on his split-finger fastball. “They just weren’t getting the timely hits.”

McDonald delivered a timely hit in the fifth inning, a two-out, run-scoring single off Zamora, who finished with 10 strikeouts. Mater Dei (6-1) then put the game away in the sixth inning when Erik Mattern slammed a three-run homer.

“After three innings, we were kind of worried,” Mater Dei Coach Bob Ickes said. “It’s tough coming into this league. The rivalries are so intense. We’re the new boys and everyone wants to get us.”

With McDonald around, that might be tough to do.

In other South Coast League games:

El Toro 17, Mission Viejo 6--Mike Lutterloh had an RBI single and a grand slam in the first inning for visiting El Toro (5-3, 1-0). He finished with seven RBIs. Ryan Fullerton and Brandon Hendrikx also homered for El Toro. Didgit Trotter walked four times and scored four runs for El Toro. Todd Sands hit a grand slam for Mission Viejo (3-3, 0-1).

San Clemente 4, Dana Hills 3 (8)--Pinch-runner Joeiah Damery scored on a passed ball with two outs in the eighth inning for host San Clemente (3-3-1, 1-0).