Local American Legion team sees its season end

The Ocean View High American Legion baseball team lost its first two games in district tournament play and was eliminated from title contention at Glover Stadium in Anaheim.

Ocean View, Mission Viejo, Dana Hills and Whittier high school-aged teams competed in the district tournament, which was a double-elimination event.

The Seahawks entered the tournament with a 14-1 record.

Ocean View led Mission Viejo throughout the majority of the tournament opener July 24, but Mission Viejo scored twice in the top of the seventh to win, 6-2.

Ocean View was in scoring position with one out in the bottom of the seventh after juniors Matt Larsen and Aaron Delgado singled. Senior Sean Carpentier — who had three hits and drove in two runs earlier in the game to lead Ocean View — hit a sharp two-hopper to second base that was turned into a game-ending double play.

Alfredo Sepulveda pitched a solid game for Ocean View. The sophomore went the distance and struck out six. Junior catcher Nick Schulenburg went two for two with two runs batted in for the Seahawks.

In its next game against Whittier, Ocean View again led throughout but gave up a run in the top of the seventh to lose, 4-3.

Ocean View led, 3-2, entering the sixth inning, where Whittier scored on a double steal.

Sophomore Blake Walker pitched a “dazzling game,” Ocean View Coach Shane Borowski said, scattering six hits over six innings to go along with five strikeouts. He was relieved by Delgado after giving up a walk to start the seventh inning.

Delgado did pick off two Whittier base runners in the seventh, but Whittier drew a two-out walk and went on to score the winning run on an infield error.

“I was very happy with our performance,” Borowski said.

“We were very evenly matched in this tournament and our kids competed toe-to-toe on every pitch in these games. Of course I would have liked to have walked away victorious, especially when we had the lead in the last inning of both games.

“But I like the way we played and our kids can walk away with their heads held high. They played solid baseball in this tournament and all summer.

“I hope they continue to work hard and improve their game in this offseason. There’s still a lot we can get better at.”