MID-CITY — There’s no chance a first-year team could make the playoffs, right?
Apparently, that line of thinking is lost on Pacifica Christian High School’s baseball team, which has defied the odds by posting an 8-2 record and even more impressive 7-1 mark in Mulholland League play.
“It’s a really great situation to be in with such strong talent,” Head Coach Julian Chavez said. “Especially considering that most of the team are freshmen.”
With youth at the team’s core, the chances of the Seawolves making the playoffs appears to be in their hands. Pacifica Christian is currently in first place in league and have just three games remaining.
“It’s really cool to see improvement day to day,” first baseman Zach McMillan said before practice. “It’s cool to look ahead to the future.
“When we’re seniors, we’ll be so much better.”
For the time being the big test will come May 7 when the Seawolves take on Wildwood, a game that could possibly decide the league championship. The game gives the Seawolves the opportunity to avenge a season, and program, opening 6-7 loss to Wildwood on March 5.
Freshman pitcher Kevin Hammer is psyched at getting the opportunity to take on a team that many considered the class of the league coming into the season.
“[Beating] them would be great for us,” Hammer said. “We played them really strong last time.
“It was our first game ever, but we gave them a tough time.”
Hammer pointed out that the Seawolves’ strength in the field and on the mound could pave the way to what just a few months ago appeared to be a pipe dream of winning a league title or, for that matter, a playoff berth.
“Our individual players are more confident in their own abilities,” Hammer said. “We trust our pitchers and hitters to get the job done.”
Pitching may be what the Seawolves hang their batting helmet on, but its offense that has powered Pacifica Christian to the verge of a post season appearance.
The Seawolves currently have four hitters batting over .500. Hammer leads the pack with a .529 average with Keenan Pierandozzi-Howes slugging a stellar .516. The team has combined to hit just four home runs, but has scored a hefty 118 runs all season, a category Hammer also leads with 19.
But before Pacifica Christian can start making plans for the postseason, the Seawolves will face Summit View on the road today at 3:30 p.m.
Samohi softball banks on blanks<p>
SAMOHI — Baring a colossal collapse, the Vikings’ softball team should cruise to a sixth consecutive Ocean League title, but it’s another streak that is on the mind of Head Coach Debbie Skaggs.
“The victories are easy, but it’s all about keeping the streak alive,” Skaggs said of her team’s current 21 game streak of shutting out league opponents. “That’s our goal, but I don’t want other teams to know about it.”
In fact, the Vikings, who are currently ranked fifth in Division IV, have not allowed a run to any opponent since March 27, a span that includes eight games.
“[The scoreless streak] puts pressure on the players, for sure,” Skaggs said. “We can’t let [opposing teams] score, that’s their mentality.”
That approach has proven successful thus far. The Vikings sport a 15-5 overall record and are perfect in league, 4-0.
Leading the way is star pitcher Celisha Walker, a junior who has amassed a 10-3 record and a 1.69 ERA. Her latest outing, against Mary Star of the Sea, resulted in a perfect game for the junior who has orally committed to New Mexico State.
Walker is expected to pitch today when the Vikings take on league rival Inglewood at home. The game is scheduled to begin at 3:15 p.m.
daniela@www.smdp.com
