SAMOHI — An Ocean League baseball title may be on the line, but the Santa Monica High School Vikings seem pretty calm heading into a crucial two-game set against Culver City this week.
“We know we can hit against good teams,” Samohi sophomore Adam Padilla said after a victory over Beverly Hills last week. “That’s really boosted our confidence.”
The Vikings have, in recent weeks, come alive offensively after a slow start. Head Coach Sheldon Philip-Guide said the recent up-tick at the plate is the result of being patient.
So far, it appears to be working like gangbusters.
The team has scored at least 10 runs in each of the past six league games. The latest onslaught came Thursday against Beverly Hills at home. The game was highlighted by home runs by Alonzo Gonzalez and Andrew Montanari as the Vikings outscored the Normans, 13-3.
The Vikings will pitch senior Gonzalez on Tuesday at Samohi. The lefty has been the team’s ace this season. Padilla will pitch in the second game on Thursday at Culver City.
If the teams split the series, the title will be decided by tiebreakers.
Culver City too has been on a roll lately. The Centaurs are on an eight-game winning streak and have a 17-8 overall record to go along with their 7-1 mark in league.
Those facts may be daunting to some, but the Vikings seem good to go.
“I’m ready, we’re all ready,” Montanari said. “It’s going to be tough, but it’s something we can handle.”
daniela@www.smdp.com
