CdM has new approach

NEWPORT BEACH ? The Corona del Mar High baseball team struggled to score runs the first week of the season, and it led to a 1-3 start. But now the team has a few games under its belt and a new approach at the plate.

The Sea Kings pounded out 20 hits against three Newport Harbor pitchers and senior Eric Eadington pitched six shutout innings in a 12-0 Battle of the Bay victory on Wednesday at Newport Harbor High.

Eight Corona del Mar players had multiple hits, including junior Vinnie St. John, who went 4 for 5 with two runs, and Jake Lemmerman, who went 3 for 5 with three RBI.

Juniors Greg Garte and Austin Elliot and seniors Ryan Lance, Andrew Williamson, Nick Peterson and Chris Rosen had two hits apiece for the Sea Kings (3-3).

“I’ve really been asking the kids to change their approach at the plate,” Corona del Mar Coach John Emme said. “We’ve worked on it a lot at practice. Before, they didn’t have a plan. They weren’t paying attention to the count. But they listened. Now they’re doing it.

“It’s like night and day.”

St. John led off the game with a double off the left-center field fence, and Garte moved him to third with a grounder to first. Lemmerman singled up the middle to bring St. John home, then Elliot doubled to right-center field to put runners on second and third. Lemmerman scored on a wild pitch and Elliot scored on an infield single by Lance.

The Sea Kings led, 4-0, when Tyler Parker replaced Sailors starting pitcher Phillip Martin in the top of the third inning. Corona del Mar welcomed Parker to the game by tallying four hits, a stolen base and two runs in the third to pad the lead.

Parker had five strikeouts in three innings of relief, but allowed nine hits and left with the Sailors trailing, 8-0.

The Sea Kings added four runs in the sixth inning off Chris Packwood. Williamson keyed the rally with a leadoff double just inside the first-base bag. Corona del Mar banged out four consecutive singles with two outs.

Eadington (1-1) gave up three singles, five walks and hit two batters in his six innings of work, but worked out of every jam he was in.

In the sixth inning, Eadington walked Newport Harbor’s Brett Rogers and P.J. Errington and Blake Fogg singled to load the bases with no outs. Then Eadington reared back and struck out the last three batters.

The hard-throwing left-hander finished with 11 strikeouts.

“When Eric throws strikes, he’s unhittable,” Emme said. “I’d like him to be a little more economical. He walked too many batters, but overall he had a great day.”

There was no argument from the other side.

“Eadington did a good job, he keeps runners close and hits his spots well,” Newport Harbor Coach Evan Chalmers said. “He makes you swing at the pitches he wants to throw.”

While Corona del Mar doesn’t start Pacific Coast League action until March 28 at Northwood, Newport Harbor (3-3) opens Sea View League play on Friday at home against Woodbridge.

“Hopefully, we can take something away from this and get back to hitting the ball,” Chalmers said.