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The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
“It was kind of a weird day.”
That’s what Wilson coach Andy Hall had to say, and that’s how everyone felt as they left Bohl Diamond at Blair Field after the CIF Southern Section Division 3 baseball first-round game between the Bruins and El Segundo.
Wilson took an early lead only to see El Segundo score 11 unanswered runs, but the Bruins battled in the bottom of the seventh to score five runs including a grand slam from Aaron Mingo. Unfortunately, that comeback came up short and El Segundo advanced with an 11-7 victory over Wilson.
“It’s hard to know that we had a good chance but we made some mistakes defensively that didn’t help our cause,” Hall said after his Bruins made three costly errors. “That led to some longer innings that probably weren’t what they needed to be. If we play a cleaner game, you never know.”
It felt like all of the positive momentum was in the Wilson dugout after starting pitcher Ben Howard struck out the side in the top of the second inning and Matt Pappas drove in a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame for a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the third, El Segundo was on the lucky side of a few bounces including an error and another defensive miscue on a relay throw. When the dust settled El Segundo led 4-2 thanks to the advantageous two-out rally.
Lincoln Quaintance, Hudson Comer, Mateo Heredia, Carson Brooks and Ethan Ayler all had two hits for El Segundo while eight different Eagles drove in runs.
Wilson’s seventh inning rally was kept alive by a second clean single from shortstop Taylor Kirk. The senior has been the unquestioned captain for the Bruins this season. He is verbally committed to Fordham University.
“We’re going to miss Taylor,” Hall said. “He’s been a tremendous example for his teammates. He’s one of the best shortstops in the league and trust me when I say that the league believes that as well. He’s our beckon. I was happy to see him get two hits in his last two at bats in high school.”
After Kirk singled to load the bases, Mingo launched his grand slam home run that easily cleared the old concrete left field fence.
“That swing, I didn’t even feel it off the bat,” Mingo said. “It was that good. I knew it was almost gone, but I didn’t know it was that gone! I was definitely happy for my team to get us back in it after being down so much. But it was definitely cool swagging it out around the bases, giving my team some energy. It was fun.”
“Mingo hitting one out of here is crazy,” Kirk said. “I know he’s wanted to do that and I’m happy for him.”
Captain Kirk and Hall agreed that it wasn’t surprising to see their team fight until the last out.
“It’s pretty consistent with the whole year, especially in our first few games (of this season) we went down early and fought back,” Kirk said. “Whether we won or not it was similar to that last inning, we’re always trying to make something happen.(El Segundo) isn’t going to get too comfortable in the rest of their (playoff games) for sure.”
“I’m proud of the guys who stayed in there and played hard,” Hall added. “We’ve got guys like (Ben Howard) who really stepped up the last few weeks and shows his grit. We made a little bit of a run at it at the end and kind of made it fun.”
Pinch hitter Ryan Dissman drove in a run to keep the rally alive but El Segundo reliever Sam Forthuber came in and got the last two outs to clinch the 11-7 win.
The other Moore League results weren’t any better on Friday as Millikan, Long Beach Poly and Lakewood all lost in the first round.
In Division 1, league champion Millikan fell at Santa Margarita 12-2.
In Division 2, Long Beach Poly couldn’t take advantage of three Arcadia errors in a 3-0 loss on the road.
In Division 3, Lakewood scored in the seventh but couldn’t complete the comeback in a 2-1 loss at Corona Centennial.
