RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA – The Dana Hills baseball team beat sixth-ranked Tesoro, 4-2, Friday in a South Coast League game at Tesoro High.
Both teams missed numerous opportunities to score. The teams combined for 23 hits.
“We had a couple more clutch hits than they did, and that was the difference in the game,” Dana Hills coach Tom Faris said. “I’m really proud of our guys hanging in there.”
The Dolphins (10-8, 4-2) had beaten the Titans, 5-0, on Wednesday behind a no-hitter from Hans Crouse. Tesoro (10-6, 3-3) made it clear early it wouldn’t be silenced two consecutive games.
The Titans took the lead, 1-0, in the second inning when starting pitcher Spencer Heinsius hit a double and scored on a single by designated hitter Jake Morenc.
Dana Hills scored twice in the third inning to take the lead, 2-1. Josh Haupt-Jimenez led off with a single and Max Mircovich was hit by a pitch. although Tesoro coach Rick Brail argued the ball hit the bat.
After a single by Shawn Kany, David Clawson drove in two runs with a single to right field.
The Dolphins extended the lead to 4-1 in the fifth inning. The first three Dana Hills hitters reached base against Heinsius and Chad Burchit took over on the mound with the bases loaded and no outs. Jeremy Ciolek and Michael Hascup hit consecutive RBI singles.
“We’ve been concentrating on working middle away,” Faris explained. “A lot of our hits were to the opposite field today.”
Dana Hills pitcher Jack Sterner allowed just two runs in five innings and picked up his first win of the season.
Faris was happy with Sterner’s outing.
“He’s had some really good outings but just hasn’t gotten a ‘W,’” Faris said. “We’ve either fallen apart behind him or not scored. It was nice to get him his first win.”
