By CCL Reporter, Kathryne Padilla —
A successful season with the Conejo Oaks doesn’t just lie in the hands of the athletes taking the field or the coaches behind them. Director of Operations, Rebecca Willson holds most of the success of the season on her back and contributes to the growing foundation of genuine relationships within the program.
Willson grew up in a baseball-oriented household where her dad was a coach, and her older brother played the game. At first, growing up she was not too fond of the sport, but it eventually grew on her and even played softball in her childhood.
“I love being around it. Obviously, I’m not coaching, and I don’t want to coach or anything like that. But I love being around baseball, and like the happiness, it brings people just like talking to the fans,” Willson said. “I like just being out there in the atmosphere of it.”
She was first introduced to the Oaks when her older brother was on the coaching staff. He initiated the conversation of Willson helping the team with game-day operations on some occasions if she was able to. Willson has a Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality and was an event planner at the time, which made her a perfect candidate to help with operations.
At first, it started with helping with a few games, and then slowly she began to take on more responsibilities as she continued returning with the team.
“Every summer I kind of just added more things for myself to do. So now I just kind of do a little of everything and try to help coach out as much as possible,” Willson said.
This coming summer will mark her fourth season with the Oaks.
Preparation for the new season doesn’t begin a couple of months before, in fact, Willson feels like she gets a two-week break before having to begin planning and organizing the new season. Her long list of responsibilities includes but are not limited to housing athletes, transportation, providing food, marketing and social media, managing the intern program, ordering uniforms, and overseeing all daily operations.
“Every summer it’s something I love to do … one more thing gets added every summer and I think it’s great. I think more of it is just trying to build our program and make it bigger,” Willson said.
Last season, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect on how operations were run. Willson switched gears relatively quickly and still found housing for athletes. She even made several grocery runs to ensure the players had food but also kept their safety intact.
In her first initial interaction with the players, she is able to get a sense of who the players are as people. “Some of the times I can tell right from the get-go how they’re going to be, or you know how this is going to go if I need to whip any of them into shape,” Willson said with a grin.
The work that Willson does behind the scenes doesn’t go unnoticed. She does whatever it takes to relieve some of the stress for the coaches if needed, but it also contributes to the genuine relationships that the Oaks create with each of their players during the season.
The bond that is created with these athletes is one that Willson and head coach David Soliz have seen is long-term.
“It’s a two-month connection that just seems sometimes when you connect with a player, it’s so much longer than two months. It just feels like you’ve known them for a long time and it’s really cool,” Willson said.
Longtime coach for the Oaks, David Soliz, also feels the same that summers in the California Collegiate League is all about baseball, and so much more.
Soliz shared a moment when he saw Brandon Lewis (UC Irvine, Los Angeles Dodgers), an Oaks’ alumni, while attending an all-star game in Boise, where his brother was managing at the time.
“I see a player standing off and I’m like, is that him? That’s Lew. He’s standing, so I text him and I said something like, ‘make sure you stand up straight,’ and he texts me back, ‘Are you here?” Soliz said.
The following day, Soliz was able to greet Lewis and received a bear hug from the athlete which Soliz shared, “He didn’t have to do that, a couple of years later.”
Moments like the one Soliz experienced are the ones that keep himself and Willson returning.
Owner of the Conejo Oaks, Mike Scioscia, and General Manager, Randy Riley, built a program that revolves around genuine connections which creates such as positive and welcoming atmosphere
The duo has created an environment where athletes are able to not only focus on developing high-level baseball skills but building long-term relationships with all involved in the organization.
Soliz loves that Scioscia is hands-on with the Oaks’ players, coaches, staff, and interns and present during the summer. Scioscia has been at practices and on-field during workouts, but could also be found sitting in the stands at the Oaks’ games.
“He was at every single home game for the early work. He would do his drills, talk to the guys and the players loved it. Sometimes he would go home, change and come back and just watch the game in the stands; that’s how much he cares,” Soliz said.
Riley could also be found at Oaks games. His generosity and love for the organization plays a big part in the success of the Oaks.
“He does what is always best for the league and he’s always done what’s best for the team, and each player. There’s no player that goes without…[Riley]’s there [and] takes care of it,” Soliz said.
It is evident the Oaks has created a solid foundation that has continued to be the basis for the organization and has grown into something larger than life. While there are only two months during the summer season, it seems that the Oaks jam-pack years of relationships that ultimately continue for years to come.
By CCL Reporter, Kathryne Padilla —
In one of the several acres of Solano County, one could find a young Ryan “P” Adams on his home-built diamond perfecting the skills that would lead him to a rewarding baseball career. This journey now finds Adams back in his home county as the head coach for the Solano Mudcats — and it is everything he imagined.
Since he could remember, Adams had a competitive spirit and would describe himself as an adrenaline junkie. Having this in his nature would fuel his passion for baseball and contribute to many rewarding experiences throughout his life.
During his childhood, the support from his family was evident. His father, Gary, spent endless days with Adams taking him to practice after practice and game after game. Gary Adams eventually built a baseball diamond in the family backyard, not only for Adams, but also for the teams he was a part of.
“My dad was a sports enthusiast and he decided ‘Let’s build a field in the backyard,’” Adams said. “Ultimately, we had our travel practice out there … It was unique, the field wasn’t very big, but we got the job done.”
Growing up, Adams credits his mother, Stephanie, for his competitive spirit, and his two older siblings for supporting his love of the game.
“They’ve always been supportive of my endeavors, whatever it is … I always looked at them and admired what they do, and they’ve kind of created a path for me to kind of be my own person,” Adams said.
Adams also found motivation from his extended family when beginning his baseball career. Multiple members reached high levels in their respective sports.
“My uncle … played in the big leagues for several years,” Adams said. “I have cousins that played Division I baseball and I had a cousin who was one of the best wrestlers in the country.”
Though Adams had many role models to look up which contributed to his success, he often experienced the underdog role.
“People often tell me ‘Listen, you know, it’s unlikely that you’re going to make it to the Major Leagues,’ and I knew that it was just something that I was driven by. I was highly motivated,” Adams said.
With people doubting Adams, his passion for baseball grew. He played for two years at Solano College before transferring to San José State University. In his two years at Solano, he was a First-Team, All-Bay Valley Conference selection as a utility player and an All-State selection as a shortstop. In 2006, Solano College inducted Adams into its Hall of Fame.
During his time at San José State, Adams was a key contributor to a Top 25 team. In his senior year, the Spartans came in second in the Western Athletic Conference.
It was his time being coached by Sam Piraro that Adams would take away many of his coaching philosophies and incorporate them into his own life.
“His philosophy was doing whatever it takes, it was more of a defense-oriented [approach] you know … He was kind of old school, but it won games and he was a kind of great mentor and actually I take a lot of what his philosophy was … and use it [now],” Adams said.
Adams did not just stop at collegiate play, his passion led him to opportunities to play in minor leagues. He joined the Solano Steelheads following graduating college which gave him insight into a different form of play. Surrounded by professional athletes intimated the new college graduate, but it was a challenge he would not back away from.
“I started to build confidence … a lot of those guys were in the pro ranks for a long time. So, I kind of picked their ear … and it was a quick learning curve for me,” Adams said.
Adams would play with the Steelheads for one season as they disassembled due to financial complications. However, one more opportunity landed Adams in Kalamazoo, Michigan. While finishing his master’s program, balancing playing time and being homesick, something struck a chord in Adams. The thought of “where is this going to take me” settled in and Adams hung up his cleats.
“My older brother’s a special education teacher out in Pittsburgh, and he’s been doing that and so I said, ‘You know what, I love being around kids,” Adams said.
Adams began teaching and coaching in 2007 at Vanden High School. He holds over 200 wins with the baseball program and coached his team to section runner-up champions in 2015 and 2017.
Adams credits his wife, Marisa, and two children Myles (15) and Ryley (12) for allowing him to share his passion for the game with so many.
His collective experience would contribute to him being the number one candidate to become the head coach of the Solano Mudcats, one of eleven California Collegiate League teams.
Adams is not entirely new to the organization either; he played for the Mudcats when they were a semi-professional team. With the addition of Adams to the Mudcats’ staff, it is evident the competitive atmosphere has been increased due to what he provides as a coach. He wants his incoming student-athletes to view this as an opportunity to grow and improve on their craft, however, he also holds a high expectation for them.
“Here’s an opportunity to compete and so I want players that are just true competitors that are gritty, that will get down in the dirt and will do anything for the best interest of the team,” Adams said.
Adams has set a goal to emphasize on “getting bigger and stronger” through his players hitting the weight room more and focusing on nutrition. He will also be focusing on the mental side of the game.
The Mudcats have also focused on specific areas of recruiting such as bolstering their pitching staff in order to create a well-rounded team.
In the end, the Mudcats will not take any shortcuts this season, and that is something Adams has never believed in.
“My philosophy always has, and always will be, ‘You get what you put into this game. If you respect the game, the game will take care of you,’” Adams said.
LOS ANGELES, CA – The California Collegiate League (CCL) announced its 2022 summer schedule today. The CCL’s 29th season will kick-off in Southern California on Tuesday, June 7, as the MLB Academy Barons play host to the San Luis Obispo Blues at the MLB Youth Academy.
The Blues are coming off a celebration of their 75th anniversary season that included a runner-up finish in the 2021 CCL State Championship.
The CCL is now comprised of 11 teams, six in the south and five in the north. Action in the North Division begins on Wednesday, June 8. The Walnut Creek Crawdads travel to Solano to face the Mudcats led by new head coach and San Jose State alum, Ryan P. Adams.
Rick Turner completed his first season as CCL Commissioner in 2021 and is looking forward to the summer. “Our league office and each league member are diligently making preparations for the upcoming season,” said Turner. “On so many levels, I’m confident 2022 will be the league’s best.”
The upcoming CCL campaign features an expanded North Division thanks to the addition of the Sonoma Stompers. The Stompers play their first-ever CCL game at home against the Crawdads on Thursday, June 9, at Arnold Field.
The 2021 CCL State Champions, the Healdsburg Prune Packers, begin the defense of their crown on June 9 at Solano.
The nationally-ranked Santa Barbara Foresters square-off against the Barons, also on June 9.
The CCL Showcase Game, the league’s mid-summer classic, is scheduled for Wednesday, July 20 at the MLB Youth Academy.
At its October meetings, league members agreed that each CCL team will play 34 division games. The full CCL schedule including non-league and several interleague contests will be announced at a later date. Each team will begin league play by June 10. The South Division concludes league competition on July 31 followed by August 1 for the North Division.
This year’s CCL State Championship, a 5-team, double-elimination format highlighted by a winner take-all title game will wrap-up the 2022 season August 4-6 at a site to be determined.
Game dates and times are subject to change.
LOS ANGELES, CA – The California Collegiate League (CCL) is pleased to announce the addition of the Sonoma Stompers, a former professional independent organization based in Sonoma, Calif. The expansion proposal was presented at the CCL Board of Directors meeting in September and approved on October. With the addition of the Stompers, the CCL now boasts an 11-team league with five teams in the North Division and six in the South Division:
CCL North Division
Healdsburg Prune Packers, Lincoln Potters, Solano Mudcats, Sonoma Stompers, Walnut Creek Crawdads
CCL South Division
MLB Academy Barons, Arroyo Seco Saints, Conejo Oaks, Orange County Riptide, San Luis Obispo Blues, Santa Barbara Foresters
While many collegiate summer leagues around the country are contracting or folding, the CCL continues to experience growth. In 2019, the CCL added three organizations—the Healdsburg Prune Packers (2021 CCL State Champions), Lincoln Potters, and Solano Mudcats—and welcomed back the Walnut Creek Crawdads after having previously been a part of the league from 2014-17.
California Collegiate League Executive Director, Aaron Milam, feels the addition of the Stompers is another feather in the cap of the CCL. “We often receive inquiries from organizations that want to join the CCL and we are selective about who we choose,” Said Milam. “We don’t add teams just to add; we add to get better, and that’s what we’ve done with the addition of the Stompers.”
Eddie Mora-Loera serves as the Stompers’ general manager and cannot wait to get started. “On behalf of our ownership group, Managing Partner Jon Sebastiani, our staff and our players, we thank the CCL and its members for welcoming the Stompers,” said Mora-Loera. “The CCL provides top-quality collegiate summer baseball and we feel we will only add to the impressive mix already in place.”
Commissioner Rick Turner is looking forward to working with another quality organization that will add to the overall strength of the CCL. “Each year our league focuses on improvement, and I applaud our teams for continuing to make strategic decisions that are best for the league, our players, and our partners,” said Turner. “You can’t beat collegiate summer baseball in California. We’re excited to add Sonoma as another premier CCL destination.”
In 2015, a New York Times best selling book featured the Stompers. Written by Ben Lindberg and Sam Miller “The Only Rule is it Has to Work” detailed a first-hand look at the front office operations of the Stompers.
Learn more about the Stompers
CCL Contacts
[+ Download 2021 CCL All-League Team] // [+ Download 2021 CCL Season Honors]
2021 CCL All-League Team
Starting Pitcher – Matthew Sox, SLO; Ben Abram, SBF; Cody Adcock, CO; Tommy Steier, AS; Christian Delashmit, SBF; Anthony Robie, OCR; Heston Tole, SLO; Shane O’Malley, HPP; Justin Eckhardt, SBF; and Spencer Edwards, OCR.
Catcher – Riley Lamb, SM; Anson Aroz, CO; Austin Schell, SLO
First Base – Torin Montgomery, HPP; Garret Forrester, LP; Brendan Bobo, CO
Second Base – Ryan Targac, HPP; Jackson Cobb, AS
Shortstop – Andrew Kachel, SBF; Davis Diaz, OCR
Third Base – Drew Cowley, AS; Dylan Campbell, SBF; Alec Gonzalez, MLB
Left Field – Austin Bost, HPP; T.C. Simmons, OCR
Center Field – Jeffrey David, LP; Connor Bradshaw, AS
Right Field – Ryan Cermak, SLO; Kenneth DeCelle, SM
Relief Pitcher – Nick Proctor, SBF; Gabriel Starks, SBF; Cole Reeves, SBF; Tommy Scavone, WCC; Marvcus Guarin, HPP; Kyle Sonduck, AS; John Chomko, AS; Francis McDonough, HPP; Marlin Brucato, LP; Nicholas Martinez, MLB; Tai Atkins, WCC; Clay Rickerman, CO
2021 CCL Season Honors
Most Outstanding Player – Austin Bost, HPP
Most Outstanding Pitcher – Matthew Sox, SLO
Coach of the Year – Joey Gomes, HPP
General Manager of the Year – Adam Stowe, SLO
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Batting Champion – Jeffrey David, LP (.393)
Hits Leader – Drew Cowley, AS (44)
RBI Champion – Torin Montgomery, HPP (36)
Homerun Champion – Brendan Bobo, CO (8)
Stolen Base Leaders – T.J. Foreman, CO; Andrew Kachel, SBF; Kendall Pettis, SBF; Trevor Werner, WCC (14)
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Strikeout King – Matthew Sox, SLO (62)
ERA Leader – Nick Proctor, SBF (0.54)
Wins Leader – Marvcus Guarin, HPP (5, 5-0)
Save Leader – Clay Rickerman, CO (6)
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Team Homeruns – Healdsburg Prune Packers (46)
Team Runs Batted In – Healdsburg Prune Packers (303)
Team Stolen Bases – Santa Barbara Foresters (111)
Team ERA Leader – Santa Barbara Foresters (2.44)
Team Strikeouts – San Luis Obispo Blues (306)
2021 CCL State Championship presented by Placer Valley Tourism
State Champions – Healdsburg Prune Packers
State Champion Runner-up – San Luis Obispo Blues
Most Outstanding Player – Braydon Runion, HPP
Most Outstanding Pitcher – Charlie Hurley, HPP
Postseason Participants – #1 HPP // #2 AS // #3 LP // #4 SLO // #5 CO
August 4-6, 2021 // McBean Stadium; Lincoln, Calif.
2021 CCL Showcase Game presented by ABDG
(6) South – (2) North
Most Outstanding Pitcher – Cody Adcock, CO
Most Outstanding Offensive Player – Riley Lamb, SM
Most Outstanding Defensive Player – Drew Cowley, AS
July 14, 2021 // MLB Academy; Compton, Calif.
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Legend // MLB – MLB Academy Barons, AS – Arroyo Seco Saints, CO – Conejo Oaks, HPP – Healdsburg Prune Packers, LP – Lincoln Potters, OCR – Orange County Riptide, SLO – San Luis Obispo Blues, SBF – Santa Barbara Foresters, SM – Solano Mudcats, WCC – Walnut Creek Crawdads
LINCOLN, CA – In the final game of their 100th Anniversary Season, the No. 1 Healdsburg Prune Packers knocked off the No. 4 San Luis Obispo Blues to win the 2021 CCL State Championship, 8-7. In the eyes of Packers Head Coach Joey Gomes, there was only one way to describe the moment.
“It’s magical,” Gomes said. “Just absolutely magical to do it in the 100th year.”
Healdsburg third baseman Braydon Runion (Texas Tech) earned Offensive MVP honors for the tournament, going 10-for-17 (.588) with one home run and nine RBI across four games. Charlie Hurley (Southern California) won Pitcher of the Tournament after allowing just three hits and no runs while striking out six in Healdsburg’s 12-1 win over the No. 2 Arroyo Seco Saints in the semifinals.
The Blues made a strong push early. With two outs in the first inning, Mason Grotto (Fresno State) and AJ Esperanza (Cuesta) walked in consecutive at bats. Trey Clarkson (Utah) stepped to the plate and rocked one over the left field wall to make it 3-0. It was Clarkson’s fourth home run of the playoffs.
With the Packers going down early, Francis McDonough (Wichita State) entered the game in the second and struck out two Blues to keep Healdsburg within three.
The Packers parlayed McDonough’s dominant inning into their first offensive burst. Austin Bost (Texas A&M) got on with a double, and Cam Blake (Texas Rio Grande Valley) sent a two-run blast to right field. Torin Montgomery (Missouri) singled in the next at bat, and Runion got him home to tie the game 3-3 entering the bottom of the third.
“[Gomes] preaches ‘heartbeat,’ just trying to control your nerves and adrenaline,” Runion said. “I get some 0-2 counts, and I’ll just step out, regroup and just say, ‘heartbeat,’ and then just get right back in there and do my job.”
The Blues loaded the bases in the fourth with two outs, giving Ruben Mercado (San Jose State) a prime opportunity to retake the lead. He worked an 0-2 count up to 2-2, but McDonough won the battle. The righty struck out Mercado, and was so fired up that he was barking in celebration all the way back to the dugout.
“It’s a cliché with championship groups, but these guys love the game so much,” Gomes said. “That McDonough kid, I really look forward to following him when he goes back to Wichita State. What a special arm.”
The Packers fed off that energy right away, as Ryan Targac (Texas A&M) led off the fifth with a solo home run to put them in the lead. Blake followed up with his third hit of the night, and Montgomery walked to get a second runner on. Runion then made the game 5-3, ripping the first pitch he saw into right center field.
The Packers loaded the bases after that, and this time it was Zac McCleve (Utah) who got out of the jam. McCleve struck out Ian McMillan (Houston) with a nasty off-speed pitch outside the zone to end the inning.
The Blues responded quickly in the bottom of the frame. Esperanza drove home Grotto after the third baseman’s leadoff single, cutting the deficit to one.
In the sixth with two outs, Mercado doubled to tie the game 5-5, scoring Ryan Cermak (Illinois State). The tie didn’t last long though, as McMillan took the lead back for the Packers at the top of the seventh, ripping a single to right to score Runion.
Hance Smith (Cal Berkeley), the walk-off hero from their quarterfinal matchup against the Conejo Oaks, came in to pinch hit in the eighth and promptly smacked a double down the third base line. Montgomery was intentionally walked, setting up Blake Burke (Tennessee). He cranked a deep ball to center field, allowing the two runners to score and increase the lead to 8-5.
The Blues threatened to even things up after loading the bases in the bottom of the eighth. Grotto knocked a single to center field, scoring Austin Kretzschmar (Stanford) and Nick Costello (Cal San Diego) to make it 8-7. The tying run, Cermak, was safe at third, but Grotto attempted to reach second and got tagged out to end the inning.
With the Blues bullpen taxed, Cermak took the mound in the top of the ninth, despite never having pitched at the collegiate level. He struck out two of three batters to keep the Blues within one.
Spencer Hynes (Wichita State) came out in the ninth to close. The lefty struck out the final two batters of the game to secure Healdsburg the championship title.
“We got some dogs on our team. Nobody ever gave up, nobody gave in,” Hurley said. “Even after the first loss, [Gomes] was like, ‘I know this isn’t you guys. Let’s just get back to playing our game,’ and that’s what we did.”
Contributors:
LINCOLN, CA- The San Luis Obispo Blues will advance into the championship final after their third win of the tournament. The Blues knocked off the second seeded Arroyo Seco Saints with a final score of 6-2.
Saint’s right-handed starting pitcher John Chomko (UT San Antonio) started off on the right foot. He caught a line drive to his glove side for the first out of the inning and the game. He followed up with two strikeouts to close the top of the first. The Blues were able to capitalize on a few pitches and an error in the outfield, putting men on the corners. They were not able to get a run across before Chomko closed the inning.
Vaughn Mauterer (UC Berkeley) followed Chomko striking out the first batter up. Two fly outs kept the Blues and Saints tied at zero going into the second inning.
Thomas Trinca (George Mason) smashed a ball to the centerfield wall, but Connor Bradshaw (Pepperdine) grabbed it sending Trinca back to the dugout. Chomko again finished the inning with a strikeout.
Ryan Cermak (Illinois State) proved to be a force in centerfield as well, grabbing a shot by Josh Cowden (Brigham Young) in the bottom of the second. A line drive by Jag Burden (UC Berkeley) put him on base with two outs. Burden then stole second to put himself in scoring position in the next at-bat. But Cermak pulled the Blues to the top of the third, grabbing yet another ball hit at the centerfield wall.
Chomko started the third inning with back-to-back swinging strikeouts. Ruben Mercado (San Jose State) reached on a single, but Mason Grotto (Fresno State) sent a ball directly to Tommy Castillo (Long Beach State) for the final out of the inning.
Mauterer started with the top of the order wasting no time with a 1-2-3 inning. This gave the Blues momentum as they went into the top of the fourth inning. Trey Clarkson (Utah) knocked a double to right field and then Vincent Martinez (Stanford) followed it up with a single in the same direction. Trinca then knocked a double down the third base line, driving in Clarkson to give the Blues a one-run lead. Austin Kretzschmar (Stanford) knocked a single to score two more Blues, furthering the lead. A quick ground out sent the Saints back up to the plate.
Drew Cowley (Cal Poly Pomona) slammed a double in his lead off at-bat, putting himself in scoring position after the Blues three-run inning. A sacrifice fly by Peyton Lewis (Texas State) sent Cowley to third. Mauterer picked up a swinging strikeout from Cowden for the second out. Castillo then drove a ball down the first base line, scoring Cowley and putting himself on third base. A fly out to the Blues second baseman Kretzschmar left Castillo on third and sent the game into the fifth inning.
Chomko continued to stay hot on the mound getting a swinging strikeout to start the fifth. Grotto then hit a double down the first base line. Chomko then picked up his eighth strikeout of the game. Mauterer also got the job done in the fifth inning, going 1-2-3, and keeping the Saints at bay.
Kyle Sonduck (UT San Antonio) came in to relieve Chomko and threw a quick strikeout to start the sixth. Trinca came up to the plate, and smacked the first pitch Sonduck threw him clear out of the park to score a run. The Saint’s were able to hold the Blues to the one run for the inning. Jared Hart (Illinois State) subbed in for the Blues, giving up a double to Cowley. A single from Lewis sent Cowley home for a Saints run, putting the score at 4-2 Blues.
Both pitchers went for a silent seventh inning. Clarkson was the man of the hour for the Blues in the 8th. He knocked a ball over the fence for a two-run homer to solidify the Blues lead 6-2. The ninth inning was quick, with neither team scoring.
The Blues will advance to the championship final tomorrow night at 6 p.m. while the Saints will play the Prune Packers tomorrow at noon.
Contributors
-Emily Morton
-Angela Martinez
-Brandon Lin
LINCOLN, CA – Down 7-6 in the 10th inning with a runner on second with two outs, the No. 1 Healdsburg Prune Packers’ last hopes clung on pinch hitter Hance Smith (Cal Berkeley). Facing elimination in the 2021 CCL State Championship playoffs, Smith squared on a fastball and launched it well over the left field wall to walk-off the No. 5 Conejo Oaks and advance the Packers to the semi-finals.
“[Healdsburg Coach/GM Joey Gomes] really preaches keeping everything very simple, and so going up I kept my heart rate down and was just looking for a pitch to hit and be on time, and I got one, and there it was,” Smith said.
Before the back-and-forth action heated up, the starting pitchers were on their game early. Both Healdsburg’s Marvcus Guarin (Pacific) and Conejo’s Chris Torres (Glendale CC) had identical stat lines through two innings: one hit allowed and one strikeout in seven batters faced.
The third inning is where the Packers struck first; Cole Elvis (Cal Berkeley) and Ian McMillan (Houston) were walked to open the inning. Three consecutive hits from Austin Bost (Texas A&M), Ryan Targac (Texas A&M) and Cam Blake (Texas Rio Grande Valley) put up four runs.
A Blake-to-Blake connection scored the fifth run, when Blake Burke (Tennessee) hit a grounder that allowed Cam Blake to take home.
Conejo gained momentum in the top of the fifth. Austin Carillo (Cal Lutheran) advanced Kaden Tsuji (Austin Peay State) and JT Navyac (Cal State Fullerton) to put them in scoring position after their back-to-back singles. Brendan Bobo (Cal State Fullerton) then took advantage and smacked a single to score both runners and cut the deficit to three.
Conejo’s Lucien Wechsberg (Oxnard) and Healdsburg’ Henrik Reinertsen (Cal Berkeley) pitched 1-2-3 innings in the bottom of the fifth and top of the sixth, respectively, and Wechsberg stranded two runners in scoring position in the sixth to keep the Oaks within reach.
Carrillo hit an RBI single in the seventh, but Bost came right back with a solo shot to left in the bottom of the frame to make it 6-3.
The Oaks were not going down without a fight. Grant Smith (Incarnate Word) led off the eighth with a single to center, and Brendan Durfee (Cal Lutheran) advanced to second on a throw after a single of his own. With runners on second and third, Raul Sandoval (Cal Davis) scored one with a single, and sacrifice fly from Greg Mehlhaff (Pepperdine) in the next at bat scored the other.
The Packers got out of the inning without giving up the lead, but the 6-5 score line made things more intense.
The Packers threatened to swing momentum back in their favor in the bottom of the frame, loading the bases, but Conejo prevented them from extending their one-run lead. With Conejo escaping a dagger, they shoved one into the Prune Packers. Navyac led off the ninth with a missile home run to left field, tying the game 6-6.
Carrillo was walked in the next at bat, stole second, then advanced to third on an errant throw, putting the go-ahead run on third with just one out. A pop out gave the Oaks one more chance to get ahead, but Spencer Hynes (Wichita State) took the mound for Healdsburg and got the last out.
“We have a lot of confidence in all our pitchers,” Smith said. “We knew if they kept us close, we were always gonna have a chance with our bats. We just were staying in it and ready to take it.”
Jesse Lopez (Long Beach State) came in to pinch hit as the leadoff hitter in the ninth, and forced a walk. Kimble Schuessler (Texas A&M) subbed in to pinch run, and Targac laid down a bunt in the next at bat to advance him to second.
Blake sent a liner to Oaks’ right fielder TJ Foreman (Austin Peay State), but a miscommunication between Schuessler and the Packers’ third base coach led the Packers vulnerable to a double-play, forcing the game to extra innings.
The CCL State Championship rules start extra innings with a runner on second with one out. Sandoval singled to score the runner and put the Oaks up 7-6 heading into the bottom of the 10th, where Smith etched his name in CCL State Championship lore.
The Packers move on to face the loser of tonight’s No. 2 Arroyo Seco Saints vs. No. 4 San Luis Obispo Blues tomorrow at 12pm PST.
“We’re just gonna stick to our plan. We’re deep with our pitching staff and the bats are gonna come out and I don’t think anybody’s stressing,” Smith said. “I think we’re just gonna stick to the plan and go.”
Player of the Game: PH Hance Smith (Cal Berkeley)
1-1, HR, 2 RBI, R
Contributors:
LINCOLN, CA – With elimination on the line Thursday morning, the Conejo Oaks dug deep and pulled out a gutsy win over the Lincoln Potters by a score of 5-2 in 10 innings.
After enduring an 11-2 loss to the San Luis Obispo Blues in the early game yesterday, Conejo had to get right back at it against a team they hadn’t played all season.
“We just prepared like we usually do, and we knew we had to get going,” said Oaks second baseman Grant Smith (University of Incarnate Word). “We trusted the guys on the mound, and we showed up today.”
The Oaks jumped on Potters starter Jack Horn (George Washington) in the second inning. With Brendan Durfee (Cal Lutheran) smacking a lead off double, TJ Foreman (Austin Peay) lined a single up the middle to bring in the game’s first run. Two batters later, Greg Mehlhaff (Pepperdine) added an RBI single of his own to give the Oaks an early 2-0 lead.
Conejo sent righty Donovan Waitman (Pierce College) out to the mound in their second game, and he came out on fire. He worked through the first nine batters without allowing a baserunner, getting into a rhythm and forcing lots of quick outs. He had just 19 pitches through the first three frames.
Waitman got some help from his defense in the fourth. After striking out the leadoff man, Lincoln’s Daniel Susac (Arizona) put a charge into one deep to left field, but Hunter Call (Santa Barbara City College) jumped up to grab it on the warning track. The very next batter smashed one into the gap in left-center that center fielder Raul Sandoval (UC Davis) laid out to snag, preserving Waitman’s perfect game.
Lincoln responded with a web gem of their own. With Smith on first, Durfee lined a double down the left field line that Smith tried to score on. He didn’t account for the cannon in left field, and Jason Brandow (Cal State Fullerton) unleashed a seed right to catcher Carson Blatnick (Sacramento State) who tagged Durfee out at the plate.
The Potters finally got a hit in the fifth, courtesy of Chase Stanke (Minnnesota), but he was erased quickly due to a double-play ball from Brandow. Lincoln was able to load the bases with two outs in the frame, but Waitman got Jack Grant (Arizona) to pop out to end the threat.
Down 2-0, the Potters got some two-out magic in the sixth. After Waitman walked Garret Forrester (Oregon State), Stanke delivered again with an RBI double into left-center. Waitman was pulled for Brent Jacques (Cal State LA) after the hit, who struck out Jacob Shaver (Arizona) to strand two baserunners.
They would get another rally going in the seventh. Trevor Haskins (Stanford) led off with a double and came home to score on a sacrifice fly by Blatnick to tie the game up at two runs apiece.
The Potters bullpen was stellar in relief of Horn. Logan Bell (Bowling Green State) and Marlin Brucato (William Jessup University) combined to pitch 4.2 one-hit innings, keeping the Oaks off the scoreboard. Lucas Wepf (Louisiana Monroe) struckout the side in the ninth, giving Lincoln a chance to walk it off in the bottom half.
Clayton Rickerman (Cal Lutheran) had other plans. He went through the bottom of the Potters order without a hitch, striking out the last two.
Starting with a runner on second and one out, as per CCL State Championship rules, the Potters elected to walk Oaks left-handed first baseman Brendan Bobo (Cal State Fullerton) to face Smith. Wepf left a fastball up in the zone, and Smith made him pay for it. He crushed the 0-2 pitch over the foul pole in left field for the go-ahead, three-run homer.
“I just tried to clear my head,” Smith said. “I kinda thought they would walk Brendan (Bobo), so I was getting ready in the hole, and came up and saw a good pitch and put a good swing on it.”
Rickerman shut the door in the ninth, solidifying the Oaks 5-2 win and giving them a match-up with the top seeded Healdsburg Prune Packers. That game is scheduled to start around 2:30pm at McBean Stadium in Lincoln.
Player of the Game: Grant Smith
HR, 3 RBI, R
Contributors:
LINCOLN, CA- Despite two Potter long balls, the Saints held on to beat the Lincoln Potters 4-2 at McBean Stadium.
Tommy Steier (Creighton) came out on fire for the Saints with three quick scoreless innings to begin the game. The right-hander threw 105 pitches on the night, with seven strikeouts in eight innings.
“These coaches trust me a lot to let me throw strikes and let them hit it and trust my defense,” Steier said. “Even though I gave up two home runs, they just told me to put it over the plate and I think that’s why they trust me.”
Jag Burden (UC Berkeley) started off the bottom of the second inning by hitting a fair ball blooper down the left field line. After back-to-back Saints strikeouts, Jackson Cobb (Crowder) continued to show his dominance in the nine-spot. Cobb hit an RBI triple that bounced over Potters left fielder Quinton Hall’s (Johnson County CC) head to take an early 1-0 lead.
It took four innings for the Potter bats to catch fire, but Daniel Susac (Arizona) wasted no time at the plate. He tied up the game with the very first pitch of his at bat, and crushed a ball into left center field for a home run.
Garrett Forester (Oregon State) then carried that momentum, as he smoked a double into right center field. Steier quieted the crowd and slowed down the pace, when he struck out Chase Stanke (Minnesota). Back-to-back groundouts to Brandon Bohning (Cal State Northridge) ended the inning.
Steier gave up another home run, but this time to Mason Holt (Louisiana Monroe), who drilled a ball into left field to give the Potters a 2-1 lead. Steier settled down once again, as he struck out Hall. Drew Cowley (Cal Poly Pomona) made a grab at third base to end the fifth inning.
“My mentality is that I’m better than the batter every at bat,” Steier said. “I just try to flush the home runs, and definitely be better the next at bat.”
On the opposing mound, Brandon Gomez retired seven consecutive hitters with six strikeouts. Bohning snapped that streak in the bottom of the fifth, hitting a chopper to second and beating out the throw.
Cobb delivered once again, as he drilled a line drive down the middle. With two runners on, Connor Bradshaw tied the game at two with a fielder’s choice.
Jake McMurray (Oral Roberts) slammed an RBI double into right center field for the Saints to retake the lead. Peyton Lewis (Texas State) roped an RBI single into right field to expand their lead to 4-2.
Forrester continued to dominate against Steier, crushing a double into right center field to kick off the sixth inning. Steier got out of the inning once again, limiting the damage to just two runs.
“It’s great to have coaches trust me in that type of situation to get a ground ball,” Steier said. “I can’t say enough about these coaches and how great they’ve been to me, and I love being out here.”
Connor Harrison (Hawaii) came in to relieve Gomez in the bottom of the sixth. Tommy Castillo (Long Beach State) came in as the designated hitter for Jake Cruce (San Diego State), and laid down a bunt for an infield hit.
The Saints threated once again with a Bohning single to left field, but was caught stealing and thrown out at second.
Steier went out for his eighth inning of work, but back-to-back base hits by Susac and Forrester kept the inning alive. A huge strikeout looking for Stanke kept the runners at bay, but Brandow slammed a base hit for it to be a bases loaded situation. Steier got out of the inning on a ground ball by Trey Furrey (Oklahoma Baptist U).
Josh Cowden (Brigham Young) ripped a base hit to right field into a lead off double. Burden laid down a perfect bunt down the third base line and beat out the throw. Castillo laid down another flawless bunt, and there was no play. With the bases juiced, Cobb went 3-4 tonight, and found a gap in between the first and second baseman to extend their lead 6-2.
Tommy Hannan (Cal Berkeley) came in at the top of the ninth and allowed a lead off single, but all three of his outs came from the last three batters to end the game.
The Lincoln Potters face off against the Conejo Oaks on August 5 at 10 a.m. The winner will play the Healdsburg Prune Packers.
The Saints take on the San Luis Obispo Blues in the semifinals at 7 p.m.
Catch all the game action on the CCL Youtube and social media channels.
Contributors
CCL Reporter Gianna Cefalu
CCL Photographers Sara Nevis, Angie Martinez
CCL Videographer Brandon Lin