Vikings top Hornets 4-1 to advance
CALIPATRIA — The Holtville High baseball team advanced to the CIF-San Diego Section Div. IV double-elimination tourney after defeating Calipatria High 4-1 in a play-in game here on Tuesday night.
The No. 8 Vikings traveled to face the No. 9 Hornets for the teams’ third meeting this year and capitalized with runners on scoring position in two separate innings to ultimately win the game.
“I just pretty much told them it’s do or die (Tuesday night),” said Holtville head coach Corey Moreno. “If we win we keep playing and if we lose we go home.”
Both teams’ starting pitchers showcased their strengths early in the game making for a 0-0 game until the fourth inning.
With two outs, Holtville’s only senior Marcos Peralta was hit by a pitch and moved to third base on a Rafael Lopez single.
Peralta then came around to score on an RBI single from Michael Toten, giving the Vikings a 1-0 lead.
Holtville followed up the fourth with a three-run fifth-inning performance to jump to a 4-0 lead.
Tino Burfield connected for a double to start the inning, while Tavo Loya drew a walk to give Holtville two base runners with no outs.
The Hornets worked to get two outs, yet Burfield and Loya were able to advance on the base path with a deep fly ball from Dylan Cartee.
Peralta then stepped up to the plate and connected for a two-out double that scored two runs and also came around to score after a pair of wild pitches.
“Honestly, in my three years here I’ve never gotten a hit in CIF, so I’m glad I was able to come up big for my boys,” Peralta said.
Moreno commended Peralta for his leadership, key hit and his work behind the plate.
“It’s great to have a kid like Marcos in that situation,” Moreno said. “He’s been our work-horse all year and he’s caught every game, so he’s a blessing to the team.”
In addition to Peralta, the Vikings had a solid performance from Loya, who threw a complete-game victory.
Loya worked out of a pair of jams in the final innings of the game to ensure the win.
“I just thought, ‘Let them hit it,’” Loya said. “I trust my team to make the routine plays, so I knew they’d help me get out of it.”
With the win the Vikings move on to face No. 1 Chula Vista at 3:30 p.m. today.