Emotional end for Corona del Mar’s Emme, Rhodes at Showcase game

IRVINE -- The game went beyond the score for Corona del Mar High

Coach John Emme and senior Ryan Rhodes Saturday at Windrow Park. In

the South County Showcase of Players, Emme dedicated Rhodes’

performance to his father, who passed away last week.

Rhodes played nine positions for the Pacific Coast League, which

lost to the Sea View League seniors, 10-0, in an 8 1/2-inning game.

“My father passed away last week and I knew it was going to be my

first Father’s Day without him,” Emme said. “I wanted to think of

something that I could do to honor him. I knew that Ryan’s father

passed away several years ago. I talked to Ryan and told him, let’s

do this. He was really excited about it. [Rhodes playing nine

positions] was special for a whole bunch of people. This was just a

real special day.”

Rhodes, whose constant encouragement motivated his teammates

throughout the season, shared a hug with Emme in the bottom of the

eighth inning, when Emme made a pitching change and brought Rhodes to

the mound from right field. Rhodes recorded the final out for the PCL

squad, inducing a groundout to cap his inspirational performance.

“That’s the most fun I ever had in a baseball game,” said Rhodes,

whose leadership was instrumental in the Sea Kings’ PCL championship

this season. “I owe it all to [Emme] who gave me the opportunity. It

was a great honor. I am nothing but happy. It’s one of those points

in my life I will be able to always look back on.”

In the bottom of the first, Rhodes started his day behind the

plate, catching pitches from his older brother Nick Rhodes. Nick

Rhodes, who will play for Cypress next year, pitched one scoreless

inning, allowing one hit, while striking out one.

Ryan Rhodes, who will attend Marymount College in Palos Verdes in

the fall, went to third base in the second inning, played shortstop

in the third, second base in the fourth, first base in the fifth,

left field in the sixth and center field in the seventh.

Newport Harbor senior R.J. Muller, who will play for Cuesta

College next year, manned second base during the final four innings

for the victorious Sea View League squad. CdM senior Griffin Dunzer,

who might attempt to be a walk-on for Chapman next year, pitched a

scoreless fourth inning and struck out one.

Nick Karpe, a CdM senior bound for Irvine Valley College, was the

PCL’s designated hitter who went 0 for 3. Karpe also competed in the

postgame home run derby. Each league had two players in the home run

derby and they competed in two rounds. Karpe did not advance past the

first round.

CdM senior Keith Long, who will play for Orange Coast College next

year, did not play because he fractured his finger during the Orange

County All-Star game Monday.

However, Long was still dressed in his uniform and supported his

CdM teammates.

“For me, this was one of the most special groups of seniors and

five them got to be here,” Emme said.