Mustangs' Winning Streak Reaches Six Games

Dalton Barge doubled in two runs. Jake Jelmini had two more hits and three more RBI. Bret Collins crushed the ball twice. Derek Largent, Kyle Demarco and Kris Cayton all had base hits.

Then there is Lucas Whitehill, who in the Mira Costa High Mustangs' 12-1 victory on Friday over Leuzinger added four hitless innings to what has been a pretty fair week at the plate.

With three more base hits including a home run, Whitehilll has gone 6 for 6 in two games against the Olympians this week with three homers and six RBI. He also drew a walk, reaching base in all seven of his plate appearances and scoring six runs.

He was just as impressive on the mound on Friday, as the Mustangs improved to 4-0 in Bay League play and extended their winning streak to six games. Whitehill struck out seven in four innings, the only run he allowed coming on an error on a popup in short right field.

''I threw around them a little bit in the first inning, but then after that I tried to just pound the zone and throw as few pitches as I possibly could,'' Whitehill said. ''Once we got a lead I just thought, no more walks. Just throw strikes and see what happens.''

Not much did. Working with catcher Ian Neal, Whitehill allowed Leuzinger little shot at winning. The Olympians drew three walks but were able to put only four balls in play against the senior right-hander—a sacrifice bunt, a ground out, a fielder's choice and the error.

''He took a little bit to get it going and we differed a little bit at the beginning on what he wants to throw and what I want to throw, but once we figured it out, you know, he's nails,'' Neal said. ''He pounds the zone and just gets it done.

''He could dominate some teams with his fastball because he throws hard and he's 6-foot-9 or whatever, you know, but we want to work the count, too, like we would against a playoff team or something. We pretty much pitch the same no matter who we're facing. Just, [pitching] well, really is our goal.''

Derek Largent finished up for Mira Costa, the game shortened to five innings.

The Mustangs will put their winning streak on the line Saturday night in a Redondo Tournament game at Redondo against Simi Valley, which is 8-12, but also a two-time defending Marmonte League champion. The Pioneers have some pitching that could challenge the Mustangs' surging offense—they are ranked third in their eight-team league in fewest runs allowed.

Mira Costa has just kept hitting, though. The Mustangs have scored 10 or more runs three times during their winning streak, and eight or more five times.

''That's been our big plus right now—everybody has been hitting the ball, one through nine,'' said Jelmini, who has had a very productive week at the plate, as well, with four hits including a home run and five RBI.

''I think going into [Saturday's] game against Simi, they're going to be a really good team. They're always very tough. If we just keep hitting one through nine, putting the ball in play, I think good things are going to happen.''