Redondo Drops Tough One to Rival Sea Kings

At first pitch, the temperature at Memorial Field was in the low 50's and there were strong gusts of wind blowing across the diamond. The weather, however, would not prove to be a source of concern. It was a series of unforced errors that ultimately proved the biggest obstacle for the Redondo Union High Sea Hawks on Wednesday in a 5-2 Bay League loss to Palos Verdes.

They started early. Senior pitcher Alex Mistuloff struck out the first batter he faced — unfortunately for the Sea Hawks the pitch got away from catcher Jake Jimenez, allowing the Sea Kings' Clay Matsuda to reach base.

Mistuloff allowed two more base runners in the first inning, but a double play would help him get out of the inning unscathed.

Offensively, senior right fielder Daniel Marquez singled to lead off the bottom of the first for the Sea Hawks. Marquez would advance on a ground ball hit by Drew Kozain, but eventually be caught trying to steal third base to end the first inning.

"It felt like everything good was getting undone one way or the other out there tonight," Mistuloff said.

Redondo, who had only three players coming into the season with significant varsity experience, was hurt by its inexperience and mental mistakes. The Sea Hawks lost four base runners — two on pickoffs and two were caught stealing. Compounding the problems on the bases were three passed balls, two of which came on third strikes.

"We just had too many mental errors, especially on the bases," Marquez said.  ''Mentally we really need to cut down on these mistakes, we need everyone to have a positive attitude and be focused."

Mistuloff did not have his best stuff, but battled all night. He allowed a run in the fourth, but in the bottom of the inning seniors Nick Ridio and Chris Jump singled and came around to score on a double by sophomore Dylan Hatch.

The Sea Kings came right back at the Redondo ace. Palos Verdes would score two runs in the fifth to regain the lead at 3-2. In the sixth, Mistuloff gave up an opening walk; a passed ball would get the runner to second. Another walk and a single would load the bases. Two runners would score on a bloop double that was helped by a gust of wind to drop between the third baseman and left fielder.

"Alex really threw a great game," first-year Redondo coach Bradey Thurman said.  "He really pitched hard and that little flare, without the wind or on a wood bat would have been an out. He was just unlucky with that and all the passed balls."

Mistuloff, would surrender eight hits over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out seven batters and walked eight. Reliever Shawn Sokolsky would get two quick outs to hold the score at 5-2.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Sea Hawks would mount a two-out rally with a single by Hatch and back-to-back walks to load the bases. But pinch hitter L.J. Ben-Amor came to the plate as the go-ahead run, but went down on strikes to end the threat.

"We're a young team and there are going to be mistakes, we'll learn and continue to come out and be focused in the moment and hopefully cut down on the mistakes," Thurman said.