Aztecs Look Like Team to Beat
If Esperanza keeps playing team baseball the way it did in its 7-2 victory Friday over host Edison, the usually competitive Sunset League race could already be over.
A.J. Shappi pitched a five-hitter and shortstop Patrick Rooney hit two home runs for the third-ranked Aztecs, who could take over the top ranking in Orange County Tuesday because Mater Dei and La Quinta lost earlier in the week.
“It doesn’t matter as long as we keep winning,” said Rooney, who now has four home runs.
Rooney put Esperanza (11-1, 5-0) ahead with a two-run home run in the first inning and added a solo shot in the fifth. The Aztecs pounded out 12 hits and scored in four of the five innings in which the leadoff hitter reached base.
Shappi (5-0), a senior who missed most of last season with tendinitis in his right arm, struck out 10. He threw only one bad pitch, which Edison’s Tim Robertson smacked for a two-run homer in the fifth.
Shappi showed great command until tiring in the sixth and seventh innings, when he hit two batters. Still, he pitched out of a two-on, one-out jam in the seventh and threw 70 of 87 pitches for strikes.
Edison (6-5-1, 3-2), which could have tied Esperanza for first place, committed two errors that led to runs.
Esperanza is two games ahead of Edison and Fountain Valley (7-5, 3-2). With 10 games to play, Edison Coach Dave Tallman said Esperanza is capable of running away with the league title, which would be its first since 1998.
“Right now, they’re an impressive ballclub,” Tallman said. “I’m impressed with their hitting.”
Charger center fielder A.J. Martinez made the game’s best defensive play when he tagged out Aztec baserunner Matt Lawson in a rundown between second and third, then fired to home plate, where catcher Cory Vanderhook tagged out Rick Taloa for a double play.
In other Sunset League games:
Fountain Valley 7, Marina 6--Gilbert Gonzales doubled, homered and had three RBIs for Fountain Valley (7-5, 3-2). Marina is 6-5, 2-3.
Los Alamitos 12, Huntington Beach 2 (5)--David Whalley doubled, homered and had four RBIs for Los Alamitos (5-7, 2-3). Huntington Beach is 5-7 (2-3).
