Bradbury guides CdM to victory

Corona del Mar High baseball coach John Emme called the Sea Kings’

Pacific Coast League matchup with visiting Northwood, “The Josh

Bradbury Show,” as the junior pitcher was key in leading CdM past the

Timberwolves, 3-2.

Bradbury contributed two hits, including a solo home run in the

first inning, and another RBI in the second. He also struck out five

and walked none. Though he scattered 10 hits, he was backed by a

solid defense that helped Bradbury improve to 2-0 on the season.

“[Northwood] left nine or 10 runners stranded,” Emme said. “That

was because we kept making plays. Josh gave us that opportunity by

throwing strikes. He did a great job. He carried us. But, he couldn’t

have done without his teammates, which is the beauty of it.”

Bradbury’s first-inning solo blast was his second of the season

and gave the Sea Kings a 1-0 lead. Also in the first inning, junior

Todd Macklin doubled to bring in junior Barrett Sprowl, who reached

on a double. Then CdM went up, 3-0, after Bradbury came up with a

two-out single in the second inning that brought in sophomore Wess

Presson, who had singled.

Emme said the Sea Kings (5-4, 2-2 in league) used the double play

to escape the first and second innings. In the second inning, the

Timberwolves (1-3 in league) had the bases loaded with no out. But

senior Brandon Kurtz, CdM’s third baseman, assisted on a force out at

the plate, then he was part of a 5-2-3 double play that ended the

inning.

Northwood scored in the sixth inning, as Mike Delong smacked a

two-run home run. But, it wasn’t enough, as senior pitcher Nick

Rhodes would later come on in the seventh to earn his first save of

the season.

Lightning edged, 2-1

* The Sage Hill School baseball team ended up on the losing end

of a pitchers’ duel after Academy League visitor Capistrano Valley

Christian defeated the Lightning, 2-1, Tuesday.

Sage Hill senior Zach Friedrichs struck out five and walked none

to go with his three-hitter. He gave up just one unearned run, but he

took the loss, his first of the season. Sage Hill dropped to 3-3-1,

2-2 in league, while the Eagles improved to 5-3, 2-2.

The Lightning produced two hits. Friedrichs provided Sage Hill

with its lone run, which came in the fourth.

He reached on a third-strike passed ball and then stole second

base. He advanced to third on the catcher’s throwing error to second.

Friedrichs scored on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Matt Loper.