Cory Hahn leads Mater Dei to another playoff victory
If there’s one player to fear most in the Southern Section Division 1 baseball playoffs, it’s Cory Hahn of Santa Ana Mater Dei. Whether at the plate or on the mound, he’s turning in performances worthy of a most valuable player award.
On Tuesday, Hahn (12-1) threw six shutout innings to pick up his second playoff victory of the tournament and also contributed a three-run home run to help Mater Dei advance to Friday’s quarterfinals with an 8-0 road victory over Pacific View League champion Camarillo.
Mater Dei Coach Burt Call let everyone know before the playoffs what his strategy would be. It was pitch Hahn for as long as he could, then try to pull off an upset without him. But who will be that person on Friday against Lakewood?
“I have no idea,” assistant coach Bob Ickes said. “That’s why [Call] gets paid the big bucks.”
Not even Call has figured out who his pitcher will be.
“We still don’t know yet what we’re going to be doing,” he said. “I’m going to have to sit down and think about what I’m going to do and what’s best for the team.”
Closer Ty Moore, a sophomore, could be a candidate to start. He struck out the side in the seventh Tuesday. There are also seniors Mickey Dunleavy and Fletcher Dellagrotta. The problem for Mater Dei (17-10) is that the Monarchs struggle when Hahn is not pitching.
Camarillo (23-5) didn’t put up much of a fight. Derek Campbell hit a first-inning home run. Moore had a two-run double. And Hahn allowed only three hits while striking out six and walking one .
“They seemed like they liked to hit fastballs, so it was really important to get my off-speed pitches over for strikes, and I was able to throughout, which helped set up my fastball,” Hahn said. “They didn’t know what was coming, and they couldn’t sit on one pitch.”
A growing question is whether the left-handed Hahn is a better pitcher or hitter. He has signed with Arizona State, is hitting above .400 and has nine home runs, but his pitching has been spectacular.
“I don’t think there’s a better hitter around with his approach,” Call said. “He’s been amazing to watch this year, both at the plate and on the mound. He’s a pretty special athlete.”
Said Hahn: “I’d like to believe I’m a better hitter. Hitting is my thing. While I’m out here, I might as well pitch a little.”
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