Prep baseball: Battle of unbeatens

Barry Faulkner

In the world of Orange County baseball, Costa Mesa High has

typically operated somewhere below mid-major level. But, now an

unprecedented 6-0, the Mustangs are looking to bolster that reputation

when they host Mater Dei in an at-large game of the Foothill-Costa Mesa

Tournament today at 3 p.m.

Already tournament champions (the tournament included more teams than

were in the official 16-team bracket), Mesa Coach Kirk Bauermeister

considers meeting the Monarchs (7-0), ranked No. 2 in Orange County and

No. 2 in CIF Southern Section Division II, “a showcase game.”

Said Bauermeister, “This is a measuring stick for our program and

we’re excited about it.”

The Mesa-Mater Dei meeting is one of several matchups on tap this week

for Newport-Mesa schools, who continue league play in the Pacific Coast

and Sea View.

Newport Harbor (3-3, 0-2 in league) visits Sea View rival Woodbridge

today at 3:15. The Sailors, led by senior catcher Garrett Brant (.455

with four RBIs) and Donovan Wong (6 for 12), need a victory to regain

some confidence earned in their 3-0 start. Junior pitcher Cody Forsythe

(1.08 ERA in 13 innings) will start for the Tars.

Mesa, hitting .425 as a team, is paced offensively by seniors Daniel

Hunter (7 for 12 for a .583 average) and Carlos Franco (6 for 12). Both

share the team lead with seven RBIs and both hit home runs Friday in a

PCL win at Estancia.

Brent Stevens, 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA, is today’s scheduled starting

pitcher, Bauermeister said.

Corona del Mar hosts Northwood Tuesday, when Estancia visits Laguna

Beach in another PCL contest.