After missing out on several early run-scoring opportunities, the Mission Viejo Diablos broke through over the final two innings to secure a 6-3 victory over the Sea Kings Junior Varsity. A game that started as a five-inning pitchers’ dual shifted as the two teams combined to score five runs over the final two frames.
Brooks Johnson (‘27) was the opening day starter for the Sea Kings and immediately found himself in a first inning, bases-loaded, no-outs jam. Johnson was able to dodge a bullet, ultimately surrendering only one run in the top of the first. He then settled into the game, pitching another 2 2/3 innings, without surrendering another hit or run.
The Sea Kings took the lead 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by Prescott Nyman (‘27), which allowed Max Brengal (‘27) to score, and an unearned run following a pair of Diablo miscues.
The Diablos again loaded the bases with no-outs in the top of the fifth inning, but again were only able to come away with a single run, knotting the score at 2-2.
In the top of the sixth, the Diablos created a lot of traffic on the base paths and ultimately scored three runs to open up a 5-2 lead.
The Sea Kings tried to mount a comeback in the bottom of the sixth, as Brengal and Cason Yarnell (‘27) started off the inning with back-to-back singles. After a double play, Nyman’s double into the right center field gap scored Yarnell, tallying what turned out to be the Sea Kings last run of the game.
The Sea Kings offense was ignited by Jacob Olson (‘27), who reached base three times out of the leadoff spot. Clean up batter Brengal ended the game two for four with a run scored. Nyman took advantage of runners in scoring position to notch two RBI’s on a sacrifice fly and a double.