BASEBALL ROUNDUP : Mater Dei Errors Pave the Way for Etherton, Dana Hills

Standout pitcher Seth Etherton needs few breaks to win baseball games, especially when the Dana Hills High senior right-hander is on his game.

Mater Dei, however, did its best to accommodate Etherton in the Dolphins’ 4-1 South Coast League victory Tuesday at Mater Dei.

The Monarchs (9-5-1, 4-1 in league play) had as many hits as errors (three) in falling into a three-way tie for first with Dana Hills (9-6-1, 4-1) and San Clemente.

Relying on his changeup more than usual, Etherton (5-0) pitched a complete game, striking out nine. He retired 15 in a row after giving up a single and a walk to the first two batters in the bottom of the first inning.

“They were really laying off the high fastball, so I said to myself, ‘I got to get the off-speed stuff over,’ ” Etherton said. “I felt I got them off-balance with the change.”

Talented Monarch sophomore right-hander Mike Hessman (4-1) gave up two unearned runs in six innings. Hessman was replaced by senior right-hander Adam Harris, who also gave up two unearned runs.

“You just can’t give up free runs,” Mater Dei Coach Bob Ickes said. “You just can’t give up those things with a guy like (Etherton).”