Hansen’s Homer Helps Mater Dei Win League Title

Just as its football and basketball teams did, the Mater Dei baseball team will end its stay in the South Coast League as the champion.

Catcher Josh Hansen’s home run leading off the seventh inning was the edge the second-ranked Monarchs needed to get past fifth-ranked Trabuco Hills, 3-2, and win the league title over the host Mustangs (18-6, 12-3).

Next season Mater Dei (18-6, 13-2) moves to the Catholic Athletic League Assn.

Hansen’s home run, his 11th, settled the pitching duel between the Mustangs’ Todd Gelatka and the Monarchs’ Brandon Espinosa.

Gelatka (6-4), who gave up five hits and struck out 11 in seven innings to join teammate Eric Bowden with more than 100 strikeouts this season made few mistakes. But the 1-1 changeup that hung over the plate was a big one; and Hansen, who had doubled and scored in the Monarchs’ two-run second, drove the ball over the left field fence.

“I was surprised [at the changeup] because we weren’t hitting his fastball even though we’re a good fastball hitting team,” Hansen said. “But his first pitch was a curve that didn’t break much. I told myself if I see another one like that to hit it. And the [home run] pitch for me was perfect.”

Hansen said the team was determined to win the league for Coach Bob Ickes, who is retiring after the season.

“We owe him so much,” Hansen said. “The program would not be where it is if not for Coach Ickes.”

The victory was by no means an easy one. Espinosa (3-0) balked in a run in the first to give Trabuco Hills a 1-0 lead, and gave up an RBI single to Brian Byrne in the fourth. During his six innings of work, Espinosa constantly worked out of trouble but struck out six and gave up six hits.

Ickes called on Nick Lovato to relieve in the seventh. Lovato, who lost to Trabuco Hills on Tuesday, made the Monarchs nervous again as the Mustangs loaded the bases with one out.

But Lovato and Mater Dei got out of it by getting Gelatka to hit into a double play.

“I won’t play any ‘what-if’ games in my mind tonight,” Trabuco Hills Coach Tim Ellis said. “We were thrilled to be in the position to win the league. I’m very proud of these kids. They’ve had a great year and it’s not over.”