James Theodore, Matt Pueschel lead La Costa Canyon past Eastlake, into Southern California regional championship
SAN DIEGO -- La Costa Canyon couldn't have dreamt for a better first inning on Thursday afternoon. The Mavericks sent 12 batters to the plate, scoring eight runs on their way to an 11-5 victory over Eastlake (29-6) in the semifinal round of the Southern California Division 1 regional playoffs.
After La Costa Canyon (26-6) starting pitcher Stunner Gonzales retired the Titans on seven pitches in the top of the first inning, the Mavericks went to work. James Theodore, Gabe Camacho and Nolan Farley each singled before Kalen Applefield followed with a walk to bring in the first run.
Brady Petit and Matt Pueschel followed later in the inning with two-run singles before Theodore returned to the plate and scored Caden Pearlman with his second single of the inning. Gabe Camacho capped the eight-hit, eight-run inning with a two-run double to centerfield that gave La Costa Canyon their best start of the season.
Eastlake answered with four runs in the top of the fourth inning but were unable to get the lead under five runs. Nolan Farley and Kalen Applfield helped the Mavericks put the game out of reach, each hitting an RBI single in the fifth inning.
Eastlake sophomore outfielder Angel Laya crushed a solo home run in the sixth inning, his third hit of the day, but the Titans were not able to get any closer.
La Costa Canyon junior Max Collins, pitching for only the second time in the past month, tossed the final three innings in relief for La Costa Canyon. He allowed a hit, a run, a walk, and struck out five batters to earn his first save of the season.
The Mavericks grinded out at-bats against five different Eastlake pitchers on Thursday, finishing with 15 hits and six walks. Seniors James Theodore and Matt Pueschel combined for seven hits, six runs scored and four runs batted in.
La Costa Canyon will head north to take on top-seeded Santa Margarita in the championship game of the Southern California Division 1 regional playoffs. The Mavericks won the Division 2 regional championship in 2021, defeating Long Beach Millikan in nine innings, 1-0.
