Marina Gets a Victory That Satisfies

High school baseball coaches seldom get to sport that look of total satisfaction, the one derived from watching teams do things the right way.

So it was easy to understand the pleasant demeanor of Marina High Coach Paul Renfrow following the Vikings’ 11-3 rout of Servite Wednesday in the semifinals of the Dole Big West Invitational at Windrow Park in Irvine.

Marina (12-5) will play Lakewood for the championship tonight at Windrow Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:30.

All facets of the Vikings’ game ran smoothly against the Friars (7-5-1), producing several smiles from Renfrow.

“This tournament has given us a chance to sharpen up some things,” Renfrow said. “We know we can hit, but we had a few problems with our pitching early in the season.

“But now it looks like the pitching is there. I think we’re going to be OK.”

Renfrow’s optimism about the Vikings’ pitching was further supported by sophomore right-hander Justin Lynch.

Lynch (4-0) pitched a complete game, giving up only one earned run on seven hits. He struck out five, including two of the three batters he faced in the seventh inning.

Of course, pitching is always easiest with huge leads--a luxury Lynch enjoyed for most of the game.

Trailing, 2-1, Marina went ahead for good in the top of the third. Junior Craig Wilson (two for five, four runs batted in) drove in two of the Vikings’ three runs in the inning with a triple.

Marina batted around in the sixth. The Vikings had 12 hits, including four doubles and two triples.

Junior leadoff hitter David Titov was the catalyst, going three for three with two walks and three runs scored.

Marina also was helped by five Servite errors.

In the other semifinal:

Lakewood 6, Irvine 1--Ben Rico pitched a three-hitter, striking out nine for Lakewood.