El Camino Real Subs Choke Off Cleveland Rally

Who would have thought the two players who had never started a game at their positions, senior left fielder Rodger Boaz and freshman catcher Eric Boranian, would team up on the final play Thursday to preserve a dramatic victory for El Camino Real High?

With the bases loaded and two out in the seventh inning, Michael Goodman of Cleveland lined a single to left. Steve Boyer took off from second, trying to score the tying run.

Boaz fired a one-hopper to Boranian, who tagged out a sliding Boyer with room to spare, giving El Camino Real a 6-5 West Valley League victory at El Camino Real.

“It took a nice big hop for me,” said Boaz, who usually plays in the infield. “I didn’t think [the coach] was going to send him. I tried to gun him out.”

Said Boranian: “It was a great throw and I was ready for the tag.”

El Camino Real (7-4, 2-2 in league play) earned its second two-game split since West Valley play began last week. That’s not exactly acceptable for the four-time City champions, but the Conquistadores have been having trouble winning when ace Greg Acheatel isn’t on the mound.

Acheatel (3-1) walked four in seven innings while three Cleveland pitchers combined for eight walks, helping El Camino Real wipe out an early 3-0 deficit.

Cleveland tried to rally in its final turn at the plate. A walk to Robert Marcial and singles by Nick Arroyo and Boyer loaded the bases. After a pop out, Byron Grubman got aboard on an infield single to drive in one run. After another pop out, Goodman hit his single, leaving it up to Boaz and Boranian to save Acheatel.

Boaz played because of an injury to infielder Kevin Fitzpatrick. Boranian played because Jesse Michel has a sore arm.

But Boaz has the right attitude.

“I’m a utility man--I play anywhere,” he said.