The Sea Kings Freshmen got punched in the mouth in the top of the first inning, but methodically battled back before taking the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth inning and scoring a 4-3 victory over the Pacifica Christian Tritons.
The Tritons jumped out to a quick 2-0 first inning lead before Sea Kings starter Colt Fyke (‘28) settled in.
The Sea Kings cut the lead in half when they scored a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Brody Majit (‘28) led off the inning with a single and advanced to second base on a balk. Luca DiNapoli’s (‘28) attempt at a sacrifice bunt turned into a single and the Sea Kings had runners on the corners. Luke Kittleson’s (‘28) fly out to center field was enough to score the tagging Majit and the score was 2-1.
Pacifica Christian added a run in the top of the sixth inning to push the lead back out to two runs.
The Tritons did themselves no favors in the bottom of the sixth inning and opened the door for a comeback rally when they started the inning by walking Tait Weissman (‘28), hitting Majit and walking DiNapoli. The Sea Kings, facing a two-run deficit, had the bases loaded with no outs. Weissman scored on Kittleson’s ground ball to the Tritons’ shortstop to pull the Sea Kings within one run. The Sea Kings next batter, Jackson Lawrence (‘28) grounded into a double play, but Majit came home with the tying run on the play. Two batters later, DiNapoli scored to put the Sea Kings ahead for the first time.
The game ended as a 4-3 Sea Kings victory when the Tritons failed to score in the seventh inning.
The Sea Kings got excellent pitching on the day from starter Fyke and reliever Nick DeSousa (‘27). Fyke pitched five and two-thirds innings, allowing three runs on five hits, while striking out seven. DeSousa came in to close the game, pitching the final one and one-third innings and allowing no runs on two hits.
Majit reached base twice for the Sea Kings with a single and a hit by pitch, while scoring two runs.
DiNapoli, who extended his on-base streak to four games, reached base three times and scored a run. DiNapoli ended his day with a single and two walks.
Kittleson led the Sea Kings with two RBI. His on-base streak has now reached twelve games.
Lawrence stretched his on-base streak to nine game thanks to being hit by a pitch in the fourth inning.
The Sea Kings Freshmen close their season against the Capistrano Valley Christian Eagles on Friday, May 2.