Elsinore blanks Hemet, stays in Sunbelt hunt

>> In modern baseball, there is still a place for a pitchers’ duel.

Elsinore’s Charlie Ruggles and Hemet’s Marcos Mendivil were in top form during Friday afternoon’s key Sunbelt League game, as both pitchers went the distance and combined to allow just two runs and seven hits while striking out 13 batters in Elsinore’s 2-0 victory.

Ruggles, in fact, took a nohitter into the fifth inning before it was broken up on a single by Timmy Lachappa.

Elsinore gave Ruggles early support, scoring in the first inning as Brody Boyd’s ground-rule double brought home a pair of runs as the Tigers took the season series from Hemet.

Ruggles needed 96 pitches to finish the game. He scattered three hits, walked two batters and hit two while striking out 10.

“Charlie’s last five or six starts have been amazing, and he kept that run going tonight in a big game,” Tigers coach Bobby Kielty said. “Hemet has always been a solid program, so to get a series win is a great feeling but we’ll turn the page and get ready for a big series against Canyon Springs next week.”

Valley View has completed league play and sits atop the Sunbelt League standings with a 8-4 record. Elsinore (12-9-1 overall, 6-3-1 in league) has two games against Canyon Springs next week and needs to win both to claim the league championship. Hemet (12-9, 6-4) could claim a share of the title but will need to sweep North next week and get help from Canyon Springs.

Dillon Slayton drew a leadoff walk in Elsinore’s half of the first. Andrew Jimenez then hit a ground ball single which set the stage for Boyd’s double that landed about halfway onto the warning track before one-hopping the fence.

Hemet could have been facing an even bigger deficit, but the Bulldogs turned a double play and got a groundout to keep the deficit at two runs. Hemet had its chances getting runners on base in six of seven innings. But the Bulldogs were unable to push a run across.

“Pitching with a lead is way easier, so it was nice to see our offense come through and get those runs early,” Ruggles said. “It’s fun to get the ball in a big game atmosphere and come through in a spot where your team needs you.”

Hemet’s best scoring opportunity was in the top of the third inning. Quinton Skinner reached base on a fielder’s choice with one out, and Mendivil walked. But Elsinore’s defense turned a double play to end the threat.

Mendivil allowed four hits and struck out three.