The Newport Harbor Sailors completed a season sweep of the Sea Kings Varsity with a victory on Friday. As has been the case all week, runs were at a premium in the final game of the series. The Sailors were able to scratch out runs in the second and fifth innings on their way to a 2-0 final score.
A leadoff double in the bottom of the second inning was cashed in for a run by the Sailors after their base runner was sacrificed to third base and then scored on a productive groundout to shortstop.
Sea Kings reliever Isaiah Vasquez (‘25) pitched his way into and then out of trouble in the third inning, as the Sailors were able to load the bases with only one out, but failed to score.
Newport Harbor stretched their lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning by playing small-ball. After the Sailors leadoff man was hit by a pitch, he reached third base with one out thanks to a sacrifice bunt and a stolen base. An RBI groundout to second base was then enough to score Newport Harbor’s second run of the game.
The Sea Kings threatened in the top of the seventh inning when pinch hitter Dylan O’Kelly (‘25) greeted the Sailors’ relief pitcher with a leadoff double. After a strikeout, backstop Charlie Kaster (‘26) singled to center field and the Sea Kings were in business with runners on the corners. Those runners ended up stranded as the Sailors’ pitcher induced a pair of ground balls and the game ended with a final score of 2-0.
The Sea Kings deployed a trio of pitchers to great effect, but for the third time in the series, the Sea Kings offense failed to get untracked. Starter Princeton-commit Vincent Menard (‘25) gave way to Vasquez, who then ceded to Will Chavez (‘26). Combined, the Sea Kings’ hurlers allowed only four hits and two runs over six innings.
Second baseman Jack Phillips (‘28) reached base twice for the Sea Kings with a single and a walk.
The Sea Kings Varsity returns to action next week when they host Fountain Valley on Tuesday, March 25.