Saints supply test for streaking CdM

Barry Faulkner

The connection between a high school baseball player and his slide

rule is usually more stable than any relationship he might have with

the status quo. So, it is exceptional that Corona del Mar High has

gone 53 days since it last experienced a loss.

In the time since a 4-1 setback to La Habra in the Pride of the

Coast tournament April 5, the Sea Kings (22-5) have won 14 games,

scored 129 runs, seen players both sustain and recover from serious

injuries and, in all likelihood, had some life-changing experiences

away from the diamond.

But all this, CdM Coach John Emme believes, has about as much to

do with the outcome of today’s 3:15 p.m. CIF Southern Section

Division IV quarterfinal playoff game with visiting San Dimas as the

quantitative value of X.

“Zero,” Emme said of the importance of the streak, which will only

attain legitimacy should it increase by three more games -- the

required total to produce the program’s third CIF crown. “If you lose

in the playoffs, you’re out and the streak has nothing to do with

that. It may be something fun to read in the paper, but we haven’t

thought about it or even mentioned it.”

Emme has, however, mentioned the formidable challenge that will be

presented by the Valle Vista League champion Saints (19-8), who have

posted some impressive offensive numbers this spring.

Third-year coach Mike Regan has seen his squad outscore opponents,

249-128, and hit .360 as a team, en route to capturing only the third

league title in the program’s history, the first since 1997.

“We’ve hit pretty well this year,” said Regan, whose offense is

led by four seniors and a sophomore.

Senior Brandon Daudt leads the team with eight home runs and 36

RBIs and is hitting .400, while senior Michael Flores is hitting .483

with 28 RBIs.

Senior Derek Weichert (.415, 19 RBIs), senior Carlos Guerra (.348,

two homers, 19 RBIs) and sophomore Mikal Garbarino (.316, 21 RBIs)

have also been key.

Daudt (4-2 with a 4.44 ERA) and Flores (5-4, including both

playoff wins, and a 4.11 ERA) are the visitors’ top two pitchers,

said Regan, who also has Guerra (9-2 with a 4.10 ERA) in the bullpen.

San Dimas defeated Arroyo, 3-2, with a run in the bottom of the

seventh in the first round, then eliminated St. Bonaventure, 13-7,

Tuesday.

Regan said Daudt will start on the mound today, an assignment CdM

will give to senior left-hander Blake Contant (9-2 with four saves

and a 1.96 ERA). Contant has a win and a save in the postseason.

“I think whoever pitches well will have the advantage,” Regan

said.

CdM, the No. 3 seed, is led offensively by senior first baseman

Barrett Sprowl (.515 with four homers, 14 doubles and 25 RBIs),

UNLV-bound senior Josh Bradbury (.379, 11 homers, 23 RBIs), junior

Wess Presson (.349, 24 RBIs), junior Tyler Lance (.460, 21 RBIs) and

senior Nik Palchikoff (.304, 27 RBIs).

Bradbury, the Newport-Mesa Player of the Year as a junior, is 7

for 9 with five RBIs and two home runs in two playoff games. He is

one home run away from tying the school single-season record of 12

(set by Ty Harper and Eric Wiethorn in 1999), and three behind

Harper’s career record of 24.

The Sea Kings defeated Cabrillo of Lompoc, 13-8, in the first

round, before earning a 6-4 second-round win Tuesday at Apple Valley.

Today’s winner advances to Tuesday’s semifinal against either

Northwood (19-10) or St. Joseph of Santa Maria (12-16).