Sea Kings roll to seventh straight win

LAS FLORES ? The Corona del Mar High baseball team is hitting on all cylinders at the right time.

The Sea Kings won their seventh in a row, a 2-1 triumph over Tesoro on Wednesday that keeps them in first place in the Pacific Coast League and gives them a chance to sweep the Titans at home on Friday.

“That was a phenomenal win,” Corona del Mar Coach John Emme said. “I’m not even thinking about the sweep; it’s just nice to get this one. It was a well-played baseball game on both sides. To be 6-1 in this league is a great place to be.”

Senior left-hander Eric Eadington sparked the victory by hurling five innings of three-hit baseball. At one point, he struck out six batters in a row. Eadington finished with 10 strikeouts, but was relieved by Matt Hauser with the score tied, 1-1, after giving up a leadoff single in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Eadington walked two ? one intentionally ? and gave up one unearned run while pitching into the sixth inning.

“He needed it,” Emme said. “He went out and threw strikes. He’s dominant when he does that. He earned an opportunity to get the ball again.”

Emme said bringing in Hauser with the game on the line was a no-brainer because of how effective the senior has been lately. It turned out to be the right move. With runners on first and third and two outs in the sixth, Hauser (4-0) struck out Brandon Lodge to end the inning.

Hauser gave up singles to Ryan Loy and pinch-hitter Trever McCalla in the bottom of the seventh before getting Mike Amster to bite on a late-breaking curve ball just off the outside part of the plate for a strikeout, and coaxing Jeremy Hahn to ground out to second baseman Greg Garte for the game’s final out.

“Hauser has been lights out for three or four weeks now,” Emme said. “It was an easy decision to bring him in. Eric was tired.”

Jake Lemmerman (three for four) scored what turned out to be the game-winning run in the top of the seventh inning. With two strikes, Lemmerman smacked a two-out double to right-center field. The ball didn’t get past the outfielders, but Lemmerman beat the throw to second. He took third on an error and scored on a wild pitch.

“I was thinking change-up on that pitch and that’s what I got, a little outside,” Lemmerman said. “Then I was thinking second all the way. I was just trying to get into scoring position.”

Lemmerman credited his new two-strike approach with his recent success. He came into the game batting .453 with four home runs and 23 RBIs.

“I used to be all at the bottom of the handle so I could whip the bat around,” Lemmerman said. “Now I put this tape on the bottom, choke up and keep my hands inside the ball, which helps me make better contact.”

Senior Ryan Lance had three hits and Austin Elliot had an RBI single in the first inning for the Sea Kings (15-5), who are ranked ninth in CIF Southern Section Division III.

The Sea Kings host the Titans (11-11-1, 3-4) Friday at 3:15 p.m.

Pacific Coast League