Advertisement

Esperanza Earns Split With Canyon

Share

In splitting a doubleheader Tuesday with Canyon, third-ranked Esperanza hardly resembled the team that won the Newport Elks tournament.

The Aztecs (5-1) lost the first game, 8-4. They managed the split when shortstop Joe Martin beat out an infield single that drove in pinch hitter Jon Munsayac with the winning run in a 7-6 victory called after six innings because of darkness.

Otherwise it was not a good day for Esperanza. The Aztecs were charged with nine errors (four by shortstop Patrick Rooney), and squandered leads of 4-0 and 6-3 in the second game.

Advertisement

Esperanza trailed, 6-3, in the sixth inning of the second game. Canyon (4-3) got three runs to tie; two on wild pitches by eventual winning pitcher Dennis Seaman (1-0).

“Going into the season I felt we could swing the bat, but I was concerned with how we could play defense,” Esperanza Coach Mike Curran said. “And coming off the tournament, I knew there was a chance we could come out flat today and we did.

“Every time you think you’re good in this game, it can turn around and make you look average.”

In the first game, Canyon got 10 hits off Aztec starter A.J. Shappi (0-1) and reliever Dan Neubauer. Four were by shortstop Jason Corapci, including three doubles. He and catcher Chad Heistermann each had two RBIs.

Advertisement