By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor Whittier Christian beat Maranatha by one run back on March 10 when the Minutemen were not at full strength. It’s the only stain on Maranatha’s Olympic League slate. The Minutemen, though, are back at full strength now, and the rematch was no contest on Tuesday night at Brookside Park. Maranatha […]
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
Whittier Christian beat Maranatha by one run back on March 10 when the Minutemen were not at full strength.
It’s the only stain on Maranatha’s Olympic League slate.
The Minutemen, though, are back at full strength now, and the rematch was no contest on Tuesday night at Brookside Park.
Maranatha crushed Whittier Christian, 9-1, behind five strong (and scoreless) innings from sophomore pitcher Charles Acker.
Acker didn’t allow a run, gave up two hits, walked two and struck out nine.
Acker improved to 3-0 on the season.
“I was throwing pretty hard and my curve ball was working for me,” Acker said. “(Getting runs on offense) definitely takes pressure off and makes me focus on my pitching more.”
Marco Martinez, who did not play in the first match up made up for it Tuesday night.
Martinez went 4 for 4 with 4 RBI and 3 runs scored.
“I felt good in pregame and stuck to my approach and had a good game,” Martinez said. “It was a salty taste in my mouth (not playing in the first game) because I felt I could have made an influence and we wanted to make a statement.”
Max Blessinger was the epitome of a solid leadoff hitter.
Blessinger had three hits in as many at-bats, stole four bases, scored three runs and drove in another.
“As a leadoff hitter, I really feel like if I have a good first at-bat it’s going to inspire confidence,” Blessinger said. “We had lunch together and didn’t want to allow it (loss to Whittier Christian) to happen again. Charles has been really good so far this season.”
Eddie Lopez went 3 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored for the Minutemen.
Trevor Marrs had two hits and drove in 2 runs.
Alex Cornwell came off the bench to pick up an RBI double and later scored a run for the Minutemen.
Dawson Netz struck out two in an inning of relief, and had a bunt single.
Evan Chang walked one and allowed an unearned run while pitching the 7th before closing out the Heralds.
The Minutemen staff got Whittier Christian on strikes in 12 of the 21 outs recorded Tuesday night.
The game didn’t start until nearly 7 p.m., almost an hour late, because Pasadena City College and LA Harbor went to extra-innings in the game before.
Maranatha will travel to Whittier Christian on Friday in the rubber match up between the two schools.
“Charles did a great job on the mound for us,” Maranatha coach Matt Shupper said. “We know how to hit and work on it a lot. Marco and Max and Trevor are some of the best players that you’ll see in this area.”
Maranatha out-hit Whittier Christian 12-2.
It’s early, but Maranatha and Village Christian share the top spot at 4-1, but the Minutemen already have a road victory at the Crusaders.
Box Score:
WCHS: 0-0-0-0-0-0-1-(1)
Maranatha:1-0-2-1-2-3-X-(9)
Olympic League Standings:
Maranatha (9-2 overall, 4-1 in league)
Village Christian (8-2, 4-1)
Valley Christian (8-5, 2-2)
Whittier Christian (9-7, 2-3)
Heritage Christian (5-7, 0-5)
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