BEACH PIT CLASSIC:

CORONA DEL MAR — If only Corona del Mar High played schools from Irvine every time.

Then the baseball season would be a roaring success.

Before the Sea Kings took their field against Woodbridge Tuesday, the fourth Irvine-based program they’ve faced this season, Danny Moskovits listened to Coach John Emme.

“Win this game because then we got the Irvine sweep,” Emme said.

Moskovits ensured a Sea King victory.

The junior hit the game-winning three-run home run, breaking fifth-inning tieas the Sea Kings came from behind to win, 7-5. They advanced to today’s fifth-place game in the Beach Pit Classic.

The homer to right-center field was Moskovits’ lone hit for CdM (8-9).

Woodbridge (2-15) introduced their fourth pitcher, Andrew Sharp (0-1), and two pitches later, Moskovits went the other way to give the Sea Kings a 7-4 lead, capping a six-run fifth.

“That pitcher was the kind of pitcher I love to hit off,” Moskovits said. “He threw a nice fastball down the pipe.”

Sharp’s (0-1) pitch wasn’t so sharp. Close enough for Moskovits’ liking.

The pitch came a little high and outside before Moskovits tagged it for his second homer of the year, giving CdM its second win during the four-day, 16-team tournament. Both victories are against Irvine schools, the first an 11-7 win over Northwood. Both are also come-from-behind wins.

Important ones helping the Sea Kings reach today’s home game against South Hills of West Covina at 11 a.m. Now they’re looking to gain some momentum before Pacific Coast League play resumes next week.

The victories against programs from Irvine that will count the most in the Sea Kings’ efforts of making the postseason for the 10th straight year under Emme will be against Irvine and University, two league teams, down the stretch.

CdM, which is 3-3 in league, has beaten Irvine twice and has split two games with University. Irvine is one game back of the third-place Sea Kings, who trail second-place University by one game.

The team the Sea Kings play, South Hills (12-2), ranked No. 2 in the CIF Southern Section Division III coaches’ poll, dropped their second game of the tournament to Irvine, 10-9.

“It’s really important [to keep playing well] because we’re playing a tough team,” Moskovits said of South Hills, which beat Greeley West of Colorado Tuesday to advance. “If we beat [the Huskies], that will give us a lot of confidence going in the second half of league.”

The Sea Kings needed to believe in themselves in order to bounce back, even against a team riddled with injuries to its infield. Woodbridge Coach Tim Murray said his team “just can’t finish the game” after going ahead late in games.

Woodbridge’s Ben Wylly did his best, going four for four with two solo home runs. He tied the game, 1-1, with his first home run of the season, a solo shot to right field in the fourth. An inning later the freshman got on board with a bunt toward third base, loading the bases.

Back-to-back close plays followed. Each went in the Warriors’ favor, allowing them to jump ahead, 4-1. First it was James Parr scoring on a sacrifice fly, barely avoiding catcher Doug Kelly’s tag at the plate. Mitch Sands fired an almost-perfect throw from right field.

One batter later, Chad Swanson drove in a run with an infield single to shortstop, beating out Moskovits’ throw to first base.

CdM reliever Parker Werline entered during a precarious situation in the fifth, when Michael Bloom couldn’t get an out after replacing left-handed starter Matt Morris.

Werline stuck around and got out of the inning. There was no way he was coming out. The sophomore recently moved up from junior varsity. Werline showed how reliable he was, allowing three hits and striking out one in three innings to notch his second win during the tournament.

“[He] makes me look smart,” Emme joked.

The offense picked up Werline. Sands led off with a single and scooted to third base after the right fielder misplayed the ball. Kelly drew a walk, leaving runners on the corners. Emme pinch ran for Kelly, bringing in Jesse Starnes and Starnes immediately stole second, putting runners in scoring position for John Doering.

Doering hit one where both didn’t have to motor home. The left-handed batter went with an outside pitch and slapped the ball down the left-field line to bring in two runs on a double, cutting the deficit to 4-3.

Kevin Holland followed Doering. He went the other way, too, finding a hole through the right side of the infield, scoring Doering to tie the game. Morris doubled toward right field in the next at-bat, setting the stage for Moskovits.

He knew what to do next.

“We wanted to beat the last team [from] Irvine,” said Moskovits, whose team is 5-1 against Irvine programs. “I guess that kind of motivated us.”

Beach Pit Classic

Fifth-place semifinal

Corona del Mar 7, Woodbridge 5

SCORE BY INNINGS

Ronquillo, Snyder (3), Crofts (5), Sharp (5) and Swanson; Morris, Bloom (5), Werline (5) and Kelly. W – Werline, 2-0. L – Snyder, 0-1. 2B – Doering (CdM), Morris (CdM). HR – Wylly (W) 2, Moskovits (CdM).

DAVID CARRILLO PENALOZA can be reached at (714) 966-4612 or [email protected].