Orange Coast College

Baseball: Win streak stopped at 12 for Pirates

Thursday, April 02, 2009

COSTA MESA -- It took a masterful effort from Santa Ana freshman Christian Meza to snap the Orange Coast College's 12-game win streak on Thursday.

The Dons' lefty hurler allowed just two runs, no walks and 13 strikeouts in a complete-game performance, sending the Pirates to a 4-2 loss at OCC's Wendell Pickens Field.

In a matchup of two impressive offensive teams, it was the pitchers from both teams that stole the headlines.

While Meza was keeping the Pirates off the scoreboard, OCC starter Calvin Drummond was matching him inning for inning.

With the game in a scoreless deadlock, Santa Ana (21-9, 10-5 OEC) took a 1-0 lead in the fifth when Derek Eligio singled, went to second on a single to left by Stephen Gonzalez, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by James Davis and scored on a wild pitch by Drummond.

OCC (21-8, 12-3) finally found some success at the plate in the bottom of the sixth. A one-out single by Mykal Stokes was followed by a two-run home run to left by Drew Hillman -- his fourth of the season and second in two games -- giving Coast a 2-1 advantage.

Drummond (6-3) kept the Dons at bay until the top of the eighth. That's when a leadoff walk by Julian Duran was cashed in two batters later when Marcus Piazzisi singled to right, scoring Duran after a sacrifice bunt, tying the game at 2.

Coast, which left seven runners on base and five runners in scoring position, threatened in the eighth when Mykal Stokes (2-for-3, one run) singled and stole second with one out, but was stranded there by Meza.

Finally, in the ninth, the Dons found the right formula against Drummond. Eligio (2-for-4, two runs) led off with a single to center and advanced to third on a double to left by Gonzalez, ending Drummond's day.

Brett Williams came in and promptly gave up a sacrifice fly to center by Davis and an RBI single by Duran, giving the Dons the lead for good.

OCC put runners on first and second with one out in the ninth, but Meza (7-0) battled through it and retired the next two batters with a pop-up to first and a strikeout, ending the game.

Drummond took the loss, allowing four runs (all earned) over eight innings, walking one and striking out four.

Ryan Sheeks and Beck Wheeler each had two hits for the Pirates, who return to action on Monday at San Diego Mesa in a nonconference matchup, beginning at 2 p.m. Coast's next home game will be on Saturday, April 11 against Long Beach City at noon.