The first series of Southwestern League baseball games came to end Thursday, April 7, and the Murrieta Mesa Rams (15-4, 5-0) have made it clear that they are the team to beat.
Once the preseason match-ups and tournament games have been played and tested a teams strengths and weaknesses, each one of the local squads goes through the league schedule once against each opponent before they head into back-to-back (Tuesday and Thursday) games to wrap up the season.
Murrieta Mesa, who have heavy hitters (currently leading almost all SWL stat categories), a strong senior presence (14 overall) and an arsenal of arms in their pitching staff, have outscored their league opponents 35-7 through the first series of games. Vista Murrieta (12-5, 4-1) is hot on the trail of the Rams, but after losing 19-2 last week to the front runner, the defending SWL champions will need to stay the course if they want to remain a threat.
Thursday, April 7, wrapped up with very close games being played throughout the Southwestern League. The Rams welcomed and shut out the Chaparral Pumas, 3-0, behind the arm of Kevin Palm (2nd win on the mound) and bats of Hunter Woodruff (Triple, RBI), Brad Prebay (RBI), Austin Salcedo (double), and Kiel Palm, who all contributed with the only hits for Murrieta Mesa.
Chaparral (5-8, 2-3) also mustered four hits in the game, two of which came from Temecula Valley transfer, Brian Brown Jr., but the Pumas could not capitalize while on base. Murrieta Mesa will face off against Murrieta Valley next week, while the Pumas get to try their luck with the Golden Bears.
Temecula Valley (2-10-1, 0-5) hit the road to take on the second place Broncos, hoping to find some success, but Vista Murrieta had a chance on their side, Chance Hroch, that is. Hroch threw 6 and 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball for the Broncos, picking up his fifth win of the season on the mound, while also doing his part with his bat getting one hit and scoring a run on the day. Juniors Brandon Luna and Mason Campbell kept the Broncos out in front with their sticks and sophomore Jake Moberg got the save, closing the game out on the bump for Vista Murrieta. The Golden Bears, who still find themselves winless in league, kept the game close behind the arm of Devin Castro, but could not find home plate on the bases, despite out-hitting the Broncos. Senior transfer and former Bronco, Connor Cannon, went 3-3 in the game and junior transfer, Sergio Dawson (Temecula Prep), got the only other hit for Temecula Valley. Vista Murrieta takes on Santiago Saturday, April 9, and will go up against Great Oak next week when league games resume.
The Wolfpack traveled to Murrieta Valley as they wrapped up the week, but it would be the Nighthawks that would control the game through the final out. Murrieta Valley jumped out in front early scoring four of their five runs off of Great Oak senior, Ryan Swarthout, and despite a late push by the Pack, who kept it close all game, senior Brad Kay would pick up the win after his six innings on the bump. Junior Blake Timm got the save for Nighthawks as five different Murrieta Valley hitters including, Joey Fregosi, Dominic Morace and Gage Sanchez all kept the Wolfpack defense on their toes. Chris Begg, Worth Planner and Blayne Jones plated runs for the Wolfpack, and senior Hunter Williams led all Great Oak Batters with his 2-2 performance.
Back-to-back games begin next week for the area teams and the final five weeks of league play will get intense as the quest for the SWL crown continues. Games are Tuesday’s and Thursday’s at 3:30 p.m.
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