El Toro Sweeps Doubleheader From Mission Viejo

With more important challenges lying ahead this week, the El Toro and Mission Viejo baseball teams took the same cautious approach heading into their nonleague doubleheader Monday at Saddleback College.

The Chargers were just better in their execution.

El Toro coach Mike Gonzales called up five pitchers from the junior varsity to give the team some depth, and they helped combine to limit the Diablos to three runs over 15 innings in sweeping the first meeting between the rivals in five years.

El Toro came from behind to win the first game, 3-2, on a wild pitch in the fifth inning, then rallied to tie the score in the sixth inning of the nightcap before winning, 3-1, in eight innings.

“We kind of treated it like a fall game where everyone goes one inning,” Gonzales said. “Try to get three outs and let’s go home.”

The Chargers (15-6) limited Mission Viejo to three hits in the first game and retired the final 11 batters. El Toro twice scored on two-out wild pitches in the opener and the other run was set up by two errant pick-off attempts by Mission Viejo starting pitcher Kieran Lovegrove.

“We took advantage of some miscues and that’s basically what won the game,” Gonzales said.

The Chargers tied the score in the second game on a run that was set up by a one-out walk to Matt Chapman, followed by a stolen base. Mitch Tolman then singled to left-center field, driving in Chapman with the tying run.    

El Toro again rallied with one out in the eighth, as Dan James doubled to right center. After an intentional walk to Chapman, Tolman hit a ground ball to second base. The Diablos tried to turn a double play but the throw to first was wide. First-baseman Mitch Holland pounced on the loose ball as James headed for home. Holland’s throw got there in time but James managed to knock the ball loose from catcher Oliver Jackson and score the go-ahead run.

Ryan Joyce followed with a base hit up the middle to score Chapman and the Chargers had their first two-run lead of the doubleheader.

Mission Viejo coach Chris Ashbach was pleased with the performance of his pitchers as well, but was disappointed with the approach of his hitters, who had combined for 18 runs in a victory Saturday against Brea Olinda.

“We were a little bit manic offensively,” he said. “We have to figure out consistency at the plate and executing if we’re going to finish the way we want to finish.”

The Diablos (12-9, 2-2 in league) travel to Aliso Niguel for a Sea View League game Wednesday, then host the Wolverines on Friday.

El Toro (2-2 in the South Coast League) travels to Capistrano Valley on Wednesday and hosts the Cougars on Friday. Junior right-hander Tyler Brashears (7-1, 0.76 ERA) is scheduled to start Wednesday, Gonzales said. Brashears did not pitch against the Diablos.