PRIDE OF THE COAST BASEBALL TOURNAMENT : Corona del Mar Easily Advances

With Corona del Mar and Rancho Alamitos having played four games in less than a week, Tuesday’s Pride Of The Coast semifinal came down to two pitchers making their first varsity start.

After Sea King freshman Kevin Stuart gave up only two singles in Corona del Mar’s 12-0 victory, it was apparent one of the two was going to get a second varsity start.

“We need a few more arms,” Sea King Coach Scott Majers said. “This gives me a few more options. Now he’s at least my No. 3.”

Stuart pitched as if he could be about anybody’s No. 1--striking out five and walking four.

“He was on,” said Majers, who gave Stuart the start after he had a good outing last week on the junior varsity. “He hit his spots and changed speeds.”

And he never once appeared nervous--on the mound.

“I had a few jitters,” Stuart said with a nervous laugh as teammates needled him about his first interview with the press. “I didn’t think I’d even be playing varsity this year.”

After a shaky first inning in which he walked two, Stuart settled down. He threw strikes and let his offense and Rancho Alamitos’ porous defense take over.

The Sea Kings scored three runs in third off sophomore Greg Kozar (1-1) on two walks, a double steal and two singles. They exploded for five more runs in the fourth on four hits, three walks and an error by third baseman Josh McRea, who dropped a foul popup that made all five runs unearned.

Two more Rancho Alamitos errors led to three Sea King runs in the sixth inning.

Right fielder Jim Huston led the Corona del Mar attack by going three for three with three RBIs. He is nine for 11 in the tournament.

“He must like spring break,” Majers said.

Third baseman Dan Angeloni had two singles and three RBIs and shortstop Dan MacMillian added an RBI single.

Corona del Mar (7-6) plays Marina (10-6) in today’s championship game at 2 p.m. at Estancia.

Rancho Alamitos (9-3) plays Brea-Olinda for third place.

In the other semifinal:

Marina 4, Brea-Olinda 2--Senior Adolfo Hernandez had eight strikeouts and allowed five hits for Marina (10-6). Brad Smith doubled in two runs in the fourth inning, giving Marina a 2-1 lead. In the fifth inning, Joe Snyder hit a single, driving in Nick Damato for the Vikings. Danny Miller had two hits for Brea-Olinda (9-4-1).

In the consolation round:

Bolsa Grande 6, Calvary Chapel 4--Kevin Michini drove in two runs with a double in the first for Bolsa Grande (3-8-1). Alex Francisco had an RBI and two stolen bases. Terry Smith hit a three-run home run in the seventh for Calvary Chapel (3-11).

Orange Lutheran 9, Norwalk Glenn 5--Andy Sanders pitched 5 2/3 innings, struck out five, and retired 14 consecutive hitters in one stretch to earn the victory for Orange Lutheran. Dave Willett had three hits and four RBIs for the Lancers (8-4), who will play in the consolation final against the Santa Fe-El Modena winner at 10:30 a.m. at Estancia.

Katella 13, Huntington Beach 9--Jaret Wright and Dave Rojo each hit two home runs for Katella (10-5). Alex Alvarez went four for four with three RBIs.

Century 22, Costa Mesa 3--Abe Inocencio had three hits, including a double, scored twice and drove in four runs and Nacho Vega had a two hits including a double and scored two runs for Century (5-6-1). Century’s Chris Duran (3-2) pitched a seven-hitter with eight strikeouts.