Sharpe’s 16th-Inning Homer Ends Longest Regional Game

The longest game in Western Regional history ended on a long drive in the bottom of the 16th inning, 14 hours after the semifinal between Moorpark and Issaquah, Wash., had begun.

Blake Sharpe, the Moorpark shortstop who had already turned in several outstanding defensive plays, homered to center field with one out to give his team a 2-1 victory Friday morning. The game was suspended after 13 scoreless innings Thursday when an 11 p.m. curfew was reached.

Friday at 9 a.m. the teams picked up where they had left off, and immediately picked up their offense.

Issaquah scored on three consecutive hits to open the 14th. More damage was prevented when Sharpe alertly tagged out Adam Robb, who had strayed off second base on Garret Rekdahl’s RBI single.

Moorpark countered in the bottom of the inning. Erik Johnson doubled down the left-field line, moved to third on a groundout by Sharpe and scored on a chopper to shortstop by Mike Lopez.

Both teams changed pitchers for the second time in the 15th, but neither scored in the inning against Moorpark’s Justin Pizzola or Issaquah’s Marc Wilson.

Beto Macias, who had pitched a brilliant game against Pearl City, Hawaii, on Tuesday, relieved Pizzola to open the 16th, but he hit the first batter and walked the second. Lopez, who had not pitched in the regional, was summoned and retired the next three hitters to set up Sharpe’s dramatic hit.

Both team squandered numerous scoring chances. Issaquah left 18 runners on base, Moorpark 17.

“We wouldn’t score, but we couldn’t let them score,” Moorpark Manager Hector Garcia said. “We’d get our guys a swig of water and take the field again.”

Defensively, there were enough gems to fill a jewelry store. Moorpark pitchers struck out 11, leaving the defense to make 37 plays. The team made only one error and catcher Keith Pabers did not allow a passed ball.

First baseman Matt Davenport made a staggering 25 putouts, flawlessly taking throws, catching popouts and fielding ground balls.

Issaquah was similarly sound. Although 21 Moorpark strikeouts eased the defensive burden, diving catches were made by two different center fielders, Derek Decater and Robb, and shortstop Chad Nelson had seven assists.

“Never could I have imagined a game like this,” said Moorpark Coach Gary Sharpe, who--the moment his son Blake touched home plate with the winning run--gave the hero 16 innings and one long home run worth of hug.