Torrey’s big hit provides victory

Steve Virgen

Ryan Torrey is a senior. That means he’s a leader. Yet, on the

Newport Harbor High baseball team, seniors are more than just

leaders. They must lay down the groundwork in regard to rebuilding

the Sailors and they must meet their coach’s challenge of playing all

out in their last prep games.

In Torrey’s case, seniors must also come up with key hits, and

that’s what he did Friday. In the bottom of the third inning, with

two out, Torrey produced a two-run double to the gap in left-center

field. The important hit proved to be the game-winner as Newport,

also led by junior pitcher Joe Cantarella, defeated visiting Laguna

Hills, 4-3.

“We just wanted to show that we’re not that old Newport team,”

Torrey said. “We’re improved and we want to spoil some of the other

teams in the league.”

A year ago, the Sailors finished winless in the Sea View League.

However, they have won three league games this season, with four

remaining.

“Aside from the wins and losses, our approach and work ethic are

much farther along than last year,” Newport Coach Joel Desguin said.

“It’s going to take awhile, but these guys are setting the groundwork

and hopefully we can get back to some respectability and success in

the [Sea View League].”

The Sailors (8-14, 3-8 in league) entered the bottom of third

inning trailing the Hawks, 2-1, but Newport scored three runs with

two out to gain a 4-2 lead. Sophomore catcher Jeff Sanchez singled to

right field and an error in the outfield gave him an extra base.

Newport senior R.J. Muller put the ball in play, a ground ball to the

pitcher, which led to a throwing error. The throw was an attempt to

tag out Sanchez, who was trying to slide back to second.

Then, with two out, senior Dave Erickson singled to bring in

Sanchez. Torrey followed Erickson’s clutch hit with the

aforementioned double.

“That [double] gave us the momentum and it gave [Cantarella] the

confidence to go and [get] them out,” Torrey said.

Cantarella earned his fourth pitching win of the season after

delivering a complete-game performance that came with four strikeouts

and two walks on 116 pitches. He scattered five hits and allowed

three runs (one unearned).

Laguna Hills (9-11-1, 4-6-1), which had defeated Newport, 5-1, on

Wednesday, scored one run in the fifth, but left two runners

stranded. Muller made a nice grab of a line drive for the second out

and junior second baseman Mike McLean closed out the inning after he

gathered a ground ball and made the throw to senior Ryan Heenan at

first.

Newport junior Karo Makserjian doubled in the sixth. He also

scored Newport’s first run after stealing second in the second

inning. The steal attempt led to a throwing error by the catcher, and

Makserjian advanced to third. Another throwing error to third base

resulted and Makserjian took advantage by sprinting across the plate.

*--*

Sea View League

Newport 4, Laguna Hills 3

Score by Innings

Laguna 101 010 0 -- 3 5 6

Newport 013 000 x -- 4 6 2

Cunanan, Filipiak (5) and Rochon;

Cantarella and Sanchez. W -- Cantarella,

4-6. L -- Cunanan. 2B -- Torrey (NH),

Makserjian (NH). HR -- Larson (LH)

*--*