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Tournaments  | Championship | 10/1/2017

Cali World Series champs crowned

Vincent Cervino
Photo: Perfect Game

Nicolai, Hassel lead the way for Saddleback championship
 
IRVINE, Calif. – The Upperclass division of the California World Series came to a close on Sunday evening as the Saddleback Cowboys defeated BPA by a score of 2-0 to claim the crown. The Cowboys used a combined effort of impressive pitching and loud offensive work to walk away champions.

Jeremy Hassel got the nod for the Saddleback Cowboys and was electric early on in the game. Hassel only allowed one hit through five shutout innings pitched and struck out six batters through that time. He worked a strong fastball up to 89 mph while mixing in a sharp 12/6 breaker as well.

Hassel worked very quickly on the mound and attacked hitters with the fastball. He induced a lot of weak contact and also racked up swings and misses. The uncommitted arm is a big reason why Saddleback was able to stifle BPA for the majority of the game.

The Cowboys got Hassel some run support early in the game as they put two runs across in the bottom of the second inning. The scoring started with Joey Nicolai crushing a leadoff double to get an early runner in scoring position. Connor Timko then came up a couple of batters later to drive a run in with a deep double to the right centerfield gap. They would add another run on an infield single later in the frame.

From that point on, Hassel was in pure cruise control. The BPA hitters had no answer for Hassel and he was relieved after five innings. Saddleback was able to avoid a comeback attempt as BPA had two runners on with two away in the top of the seventh but ultimately forced a fly out to claim the championship.

Manager Wade Jackson talked about the weekend victory for his team and the importance of the weekend. It is always good to get repetitions during the fall and especially so for the uncommitted players on the Cowboys.

“For us, it’s all about getting these guys reps,” said Jackson. “There is always great competition, I mean we played five legit teams the whole way through. We want to prepare these guys and try to get some colleges to get out and look for these guys. We’re trying to do as much as we can for our uncommitted juniors and seniors and with a tournament like this, with the caliber of teams it was great for us.”

The pitching was a strong suit for the Cowboys as they only allowed three runs during their four games of the event. Jackson’s squad was very impressive, including Hassel in the championship game, and that was all despite being limited to 50 pitches an arm.

“We had a limit of 50 pitches for each pitcher so it was tough,” said Jackson. “We had guys set up for each game and got some great performances out of them. The big thing is they trust their defense and they know how to go out there and pitch. Even like (Jeremy) Hassel this game commanded the zone very well and finished with five shutout innings.”

The fall season is underway for Southern California teams and the Cowboys are no exception. The California World Series is another notch in their impressive belt as they continue to develop and get their uncommitted players good looks from colleges.

“These guys are getting prepared for the Arizona Fall Classic. Our uncommitted juniors and seniors are getting prepared for that and this helps with preparation to get these kids in front of colleges and dialed in.”

Joey Nicolai walked away with MVP honors for the tournament. The University of San Diego commit hit .545 for the tournament that included two doubles and totaled four RBI. Kevin Champlin of BPA was named the MV-Pitcher for the event. Champlin tossed a complete game in the semifinal round while striking out ten batters and allowing no earned runs. 

2017 California Upperclass World Series runner-up: BPA



2017 California Upperclass World Series MVP: Joey Nicolai



2017 California Upperclass World Series MV-Pitcher: Kevin Champlin





CBA looks to Jupiter amidst California WS title

IRVINE, Calif. – In a highly contested game between two evenly-matched opponents, CBA outlasted the OC Sun Devils by a final score of 6-2 to secure the championship of the Underclass division for the California World Series. In a back and forth match, CBA finally came away on top by the end of the game after a late push.

The scoring started early on for CBA as they pushed a run across in the bottom of the second inning. Catcher Gabe Briones drove a ball to the right centerfield gap for a run-scoring triple to give CBA the 1-0 lead. The OC Sun Devils struck right back, however, as in the top of the third Jacob Sharp battled for a ten pitch at-bat that culminated with a two-run single.

CBA put another run up in the bottom of the third as Cody Freeman notched his second hit of the day, this one a RBI single to tie the game at two runs apiece heading into the middle innings.

The score would remain tied until the lead was captured by CBA in the bottom of the fifth inning. After reaching base via an opposite field single, Jasiah Dixon worked his way around the base paths until he was on third. Next, a heads up play allowed Dixon to score on a ball in the dirt blocked by the catcher; his speed and instincts shined on the play and allowed CBA to head into the sixth with the lead.

The flood gates opened ever so slightly in the bottom of the sixth inning as CBA added three more runs to make the score 6-2 heading into the final frame. Corey Sanchez came in to close the game out following a strong start from Christian Bodlovich who threw six innings while allowing only two unearned runs to come away with the win.

The depth of the CBA ball club really shone as manager John Paino utilized a bunch of different rosters and positions to get positive performance. The group played consistent, fundamental baseball and it paid off.

“I think this weekend showed the depth of this group,” said Paino. “Every game we had a different combination from the middle infield, to the corners, to the catcher position; we just showed the depth this group has. No matter who we put out there they perform and excel as a group.”

The pitching staff was undoubtedly a positive for CBA as they only surrendered nine runs over the five games. Paino preaches location and command which his pitchers showed him over the weekend.

“We want our pitchers to be able to pound the zone with the fastball, first and foremost, as well as be able to locate the breaking ball,” said Paino. “We threw probably twelve or fourteen guys over the course of the tournament and each guy went in and performed well. That is a testament to the depth of the 2019 class, and not just our class but across the state of California.”

Jupiter is on a lot of minds as we head into October, and Paino is no different. A number of players on this CBA team will be with the team when they travel to Jupiter, and Paino’s excitement is certainly understandable.

“This put a good cap on a fun year with this team. We’re looking forward to Jupiter; we’re taking some of the 2019s with us to Jupiter. For the group, we ended a fun club season on a positive note and whatever happens, happens in Jupiter, we’re excited and glad to be there. 

2017 California Underclass World Series champions: CBA Marucci



2017 California Underclass World Series runner-up: OC Sun Devils



2017 California Underclass World Series MVP: Cody Freeman
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