SUNSET LEAGUE BASEBALL : Odd-Ball Rally Caps Edison’s Victory Over Fountain Valley
More twists and turns certainly await Edison’s baseball team in that amusement park called the Sunset League. But the Chargers have enjoyed the ride so far.
The Chargers rallied for an 8-4 victory over Fountain Valley, Orange County’s No. 1-ranked team, Tuesday at Edison. It was just another day in a league where nearly everyone is a contender.
“You could lose four games in this league and still win it,” Charger second baseman Matt Barcellona said. “This league is weird.”
Barcellona added a few oddities of his own, a wind-blown triple and ricochet double to bring the Chargers back.
The Barons (15-2, 3-2) were breezing along, leading, 2-0, through five innings. Pitcher Jason Liuzzi had nibbled and teased, hitting corners here and there.
Liuzzi allowed only two hits heading into the sixth, then tired. He was relieved by Brian Ponchak with two outs and two on. Barcellona then lofted his wind-aided triple to center to tie the score.
Justin Haugen singled to give the Chargers (11-4, 3-2) the lead.
It was Barcellona’s second big hit in as many league games. He won the Marina game a week ago Friday with a three-run double in the seventh.
“There was Barcellona again,” Coach Paul Harrell said. “He seems to be the only guy hitting the ball.”
Barcellona did again in the seventh, hitting a two-run double off the head of Fountain Valley right fielder Geoff Wilson. Wilson appeared to lose the ball in the sun and was knocked to the ground. He left the game but was not seriously hurt.
The hit keyed a five-run inning that gave the Chargers some breathing room.
“I have never seen anything like that,” Harrell said. “That was strange.”
But strange has been the normal for the Chargers this season.
In other league games:
Huntington Beach 6, Ocean View 4--Jeremy Vidales hit the game-winning double down the right-field line to score James Roberts in the bottom of the sixth for No. 4 Huntington Beach (12-4, 3-1). Teammate Craig Daedelow had three hits, including a double, an RBI and a run scored.
Marina 7, Santa Ana 2--Tim Humble had pinch-hit two-run triple in the sixth inning to lead Marina (13-5, 3-2).
Servite 5, Westminster 4--Brian Greene picked off the potential tying run from second base in the sixth. Kirk Rossi went two for two with an RBI for Servite (8-6-1, 2-3).
