Mustangs Shut Out by West Torrance in Bay League Opener

An ace West Torrance pitcher shut down last year's Bay League champs, with a 4-0 win over Mira Costa in the league opener.

Indeed, this season could be tougher for the Mustangs, according to their head coach Cassidy Olson who believes that this year's Bay League could be one of the most competitive in recent years. 

“Everyone in the Bay League has an ace and theirs beat ours today," said Olson. "It’s going to happen and I’m confident that nobody is going to go undefeated in this league. We just have to work hard and keep improving.” 

West Torrance senior hurler Daniel Timmerman pitched a complete game shutout, scattering four hits and leaving the Mustangs' offense silent.

“He [Timmerman] pounded the zone and we hit it okay, just every time it seemed we were putting it right where their fielders were positioned,” Bret Collins said.

Timmerman (3-3), who has pitched complete games in five of his six starts and sports a season earned run average of 1.25 , helped his Warrior club begin the Bay League season on a winning note.

“The way he [Timmerman] pitched, one run was going to do it for them," said Olson. "He throws strikes and was great today.”

Mira Costa’s number one starter, Sean Isaac suffered his first loss of the season (3-1), allowing three runs on six hits, the majority of those coming with two strikes.

“Sean didn’t have his best stuff, but he threw the ball well enough to win,” Olson said.

In the third inning with two outs, West left-handed batter Johnny Palmer hit a shot over first baseman Ryan Franklin to drive in teammate Shun Tayama for the first run of the game.

The Warriors (8-9-1, 1-0) would add two more runs in the fifth, again with two outs on the board as Teddy Kerwin singled in Palmer. Austin Watters then hit a fly ball to right field that Derek Largent was unable to come up with, allowing Kerwin to cross home plate.

“I think our guys can learn from what he did today, that if you throw strikes, stay aggressive and get a little luck defensively you can beat good teams,” Olson said.

Palmer would collect three hits on the day for the Warriors. The Mustangs picked up hits from Collins, Turner Conrad, Ian McLoughlin and Isaac, but were unable to advance anyone beyond second base.

“We just have to stay with our approach and know who we are and that we are good hitters,” Collins said.

Wednesday’s game was the first for the Mustangs since driving south for spring break for the Anaheim Lions Tournament, where they won two of five games, including an impressive 12-2 win over Orange Lutheran.

“We played all good teams and Lutheran is typically one of the best teams around," said Olson. "That was a very positive win for us."

Collins, a senior, believes the tournament helped prepare the team for league competition, and despite Wednesday’s loss he is confident of where the team is headed. “We got to see some good teams and play them pretty well," he said. "Every game we can learn something and focus on improving from here on out.”

With the loss to to the Warriors, the Mustangs are now 11-7 overall and  0-1 in Bay League play.