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View Winners → Monrovia Baseball Cruises Past La Canada 10-1 to Continue Undefeated Streak
Monrovia Weekly Apr 24, 2015
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-Photo by Vincent Nguyen
By Vincent Nguyen
James Wright (5) recorded three hits, two runs, and an RBI as the third baseman starred in Monrovia High School’s thrashing of La Canada High School 10-1 Tuesday afternoon in a conference matchup that continued the Wildcats’ undefeated run.
“It was one of our more complete games from start to finish,” said Monrovia head coach Brad Blackmore on the Wildcats’ resounding victory. “We had a good first inning and I had no complaints on how we played at all. We kept scoring every inning and that’s a good recipe for a win.”
Wright also registered a steal, a walk, and an impeccable catch toward center field to close the game off that extended Monrovia’s winning streak to seven straight victories. Monrovia grabbed 18 hits for the day and no errors, while the La Canada Spartans were completely shut out in six innings, only putting up three batters per inning as Monrovia’s defense came in clutch. Monrovia pitcher Brian McConnell (12) pitched four five innings and earned one strikeout for the day.
“We have a returning All-League, All-CIF pitcher and if you give him five runs in the first inning, it kind of takes the pressure off of him,” Blackmore said about McConnell and the Wildcat defense.
Monrovia’s Eric Herrera (13) and Patrick Goebel (24) had memorable games as well. Herrera notched two runs, one hit, one RBI and one steal, while Goebel registered two hits, two RBIs, two steals, and one run.
The Wildcats hit five runs in the first inning with runs from Juan Quinonez (21), Isaiah Ramos (9), Nick Garcia (21), Herrera, and Wright. Quinonez earned another run in the second inning, while Goebel earned one in the third. Wright and Herrera earned two runs in the fourth, before Ben Goettling (26) topped the game off with the 10th run at the bottom of the fifth. There were no runs in the sixth inning, but La Canada were able to muster up three hits in the seventh and a run from Christian Heer (22) to prevent Monrovia from shutting out their opponents.
“We were just trying to find a way to get on,” said La Canada head coach Alex Valadez about his side’s afternoon effort. “We were just trying to give guys innings.”
Both teams will face each other again April 24 at 3:30 p.m. at La Canada, where the Spartans will look to avenge their afternoon loss and give the Wildcats their first loss in league play.
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