LONG BEACH – Moore League co-champion Long Beach Wilson found itself five outs from elimination despite outstanding efforts on the mound from Tyler Radcliffe and Josh Goldberg in Friday’s CIF-SS Division 1 first-round playoff game.
Moorpark led, 4-2, in the bottom of the sixth thanks to three unearned runs, but the Bruins rallied for three in the bottom of the inning to defeat the Musketeers, 5-4. Wilson, the only Moore League team left in the playoffs, next plays at Orange Lutheran (17-11) on Tuesday at 3:15 p.m.
Radcliffe was one out from getting out of the fifth inning with a 1-0 lead. But pinch-hitter Fox Anderson singled and Troy Conway leaned into a pitch and was awarded first base.
Blake Chirramonte then doubled to left to score Anderson, and Conway followed him home when Mickey Miladinovich’s relay from left field missed the mark and Moorpark led, 2-1.
Goldberg came in with the bases loaded and two outs and the senior right-hander got James Barker to fly out to left to limit the damage.
Wilson (26-5) got even in the bottom of the fifth when Stevie Castro laid down a perfect bunt down the third-base line with one out, and scored a batter later, when Mike Fitzgerald doubled.
Moorpark (18-10) scored two runs against Goldberg in the sixth after an error at second. Conway’s sacrifice fly and a Chirramonte’s double gave the Musketeers a 4-2 lead.
But Wilson showed its championship resolve when Chris Betts drew a one-out walk and the Bruins’ had the tying runs on first and second when Jackson Foss’ ground ball to short was misplayed.
Sean Williams came on to face new pitcher Trevor Weston and immediately singled to left. Williams’ single should have loaded the bases, but the Musketeers’ left fielder misread the ball and that allowed Betts and pinch-runner Andru Quevedo to score and Williams to reach third.
Marc Moroney made up for his error at second in the sixth inning when he singled up the middle to drive in the game-winning run.
“I’m really proud of our guys for battling and never giving up when things didn’t look so good,” Wilson coach Andy Hall said. “Tyler and Josh both pitched really well, but we didn’t make plays behind them. It feels really good to be the only Moore League team still standing.”
Goldberg improved to 9-1 after his 21/3 innings, which included a game-ending strikeout of Patrick Valdez.
“I was trying to get ahead early and throw strikes and pitch to the situation,” Goldberg said. “You can’t get down on our guys (defensive errors) and have to have faith.”
Radcliffe allowed just one earned run and three hits over 42/3 innings and struck out six.
“I was disappointed I couldn’t go longer and I know we play better defense than we did today, but none of that matters now, because we’re all so happy we won and are moving on,” Radcliffe said. “I felt really good out there and look forward to doing whatever I can to help our team.”
Chase Fredrick pitched the first five innings for Moorpark and allowed two runs and five hits.
Moroney had two of Wilson’s eight hits, and Betts scored a run and had an RBI.
Wilson next plays at Orange Lutheran (17-11) Tuesday at 3:15 p.m.
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