Mayfair defeats district rival Bellflower at Angel Stadium
ANAHEIM ❯❯ Mayfair's baseball team got clutch hits from senior pinch hitter Nathan Baca and junior designated hitter Tyzer Handy in a 4-1 win against rival Bellflower in the Halo Classic at Angel Stadium on Tuesday.
The Monsoons also received quality pitching from sophomore Nolan Fox, who went 5 1/3 innings before being relieved by senior Joel Dawson. Fox gave up five hits and one run and struck out two.
“It's just one of the best experiences I think I've had playing baseball so far,” Fox said. “It was fun. The energy and everything and everybody just clicked, so it made the game 10 times more fun.”
Fox admitted that he was a little bit nervous before taking the same mound that Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani pitches from.
“I was a little nervous but at the same time, it's a baseball game. It's still seven innings so it was another day in the book,” Fox said.
The game between Mayfair (157) and Bellflower (8-15) was billed as the battle for the Bellflower Unified School District crown. The contest did not disappoint.
“I know our school has a little bit of a rivalry going . ... It's always good to get a win but it was even better to beat them,” Fox said.
“I feel great. We put a lot of work into our program. We're very grateful for being here and our guys really came up big and delivered a team win,” said Mayfair coach Frank Ravelo. “I think the difference was we threw strikes, played defense and we had some key hits within the game.”
The game began with a 1-2-3 first inning for Bellflower starting pitcher Justin Bryant, who recorded two strikeouts in four innings. Bryant gave up four hits, two walks and one run.
Fox also had a 1-2-3 first inning, getting the Buccaneers' No. 2 and No. 3 hitters to pop out in foul territory.
Bellflower senior left fielder Chris Guillen singled to lead off the bottom of the second inning. A single by senior second baseman Larry Salgado drove in Guillen from second to give Bellflower a 1-0 lead.
“It is really amazing (to play at Angel Stadium),” Salgado said. “It is really a once-in-a-lifetime thing to do. It's for sure a bucket list thing to do and I'm just grateful that I could do it with my guys.”
Mayfair tied the score at 1 in the top of the fourth inning with a single by senior shortstop Cooper Boyd that brought in Handy.
Baca had a single off Bellflower pitcher Anthony Herrera that gave Mayfair a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth inning.
Mayfair carried the slim advantage into the seventh inning.
Monsoons junior left fielder Ryan Diggle singled and senior third baseman Damien Rodriguez doubled to put runners on second and third with no outs. A two-run single by Handy with one out gave Mayfair a 4-1 lead.
Mayfair junior relief pitcher Michael Corrales came in to close out the game in the bottom of the seventh inning. Corrales struck out the final batter to earn the save and secure the win.
Bellflower battled until the final out.
“They was no need to worry about trying to rally them,” said Bellflower coach Keith Tripp. “They were providing their own energy. Unfortunately, things didn't go our way but for a lot of these guys it was an opportunity of a lifetime.”
Records through Monday
1. LOS ALAMITOS (18-2): The Griffins are riding high on an 11-game winning streak. Senior pitcher Berkley Vance has been top-notch inside the circle this season.
Last week: 1
2. LA MIRADA (14-7): The Matadores have big games this week against Gahr and Mayfair.
Last week: 2
3. MILLIKAN (18-7): If the Rams win out in the Moore League, they secure their third straight title. The Rams will have six seniors participating in a signing day event today — team captain Ari Ramirez (Southern Utah), Madison Wright (Arkansas Tech), Erica Estrada (Long Beach State), Natalie Lopez (Redlands), Victoria Byrum (Eastern Kentucky) and Morgan Fontela (La Verne).
Last week: 3
4. CERRITOS (11-2): Sophomore Alianna Calderon is batting .583 with 15 RBIs. Cerritos, the defending 605 League champions, are battling Glenn for this year's title.
Last week: 4
5. GLENN (14-0-1): The Eagles are on a 13-game winning streak. Senior shortstop Beatriz Galvez is batting .634with 19 RBIs, 12doubles and two home runs.
Last week: 5
6. LAKEWOOD (10-5): The Lancers are looking for a key
DRE'LONDE JOHNSON
School: St. Anthony
Sport: Track and field
Year: Senior
Noteworthy: He broke the school record in the 100 meters with a time of 10.80 seconds at the Mt. SAC Relays on Saturday. Johnson had set the school record (10.82) for the first time a week earlier at the Arcadia Invitational. Johnson was also a part of St. Anthony's 4x100 relay team that broke the school record April 1 (42.88).
Johnson
Last week:
7. POLY (9-4): The Jackrabbits have quietly put together one of the best seasons in the area. They had a 2-1win against No. 3 Millikan on April 5. Poly will remain in contention for a Moore League tri-championship if they can beat Lakewood on Wednesday at Joe Rodgers Stadium.
Last week: 7
8. WARREN (11-11): Senior infielder Ashley Garcia is batting .557 with 44 hits. Garcia has scored a team-high 22 runs.
Last week: 8
9. MAYFAIR (11-7): Pitcher Alyssa Hensgen threw 51/3 scoreless innings in a 4-3win against Downey on Monday. She gave up one hit and struck out three. Hensgen also helped herself by going 2 for 3 at the plate. Mayfair will play at No. 2 La Mirada on Thursday.
Last week: 9
10. GAHR (9-9-1): The Gladiators have been led by senior captains Hailey Sanchez and Hayley Olivas.
Last week: 10
Honorable mention: Norwalk (14-5), Downey (8-11), Artesia (9-5), Valley Christian (6-3), Rancho Dominguez (3-3), St. Anthony (6-11), Whitney (4-6), St. Joseph (6-11), Wilson (7-13).
CARISSA GALVAN
School: Sport: Year: Noteworthy: