The Los Alamitos High baseball team has played some solid baseball this season, including winning the Loara Tournament. However, they have stumbled at times, including a 3-2 loss to El Toro on Saturday at home. After taking a 2-0 lead, the Griffins failed to capitalize on opportunities as El Toro eventually rallied to win the game in extra innings.
With the game tied 2-2 in the top of the sixth inning, the Griffins ran into trouble as the Chargers loaded the bases with just one out. Senior pitcher Garrett Rennie came on in relief to get a strikeout and then a grounder to second base to end the threat.
The Griffins has two runners on base in the bottom of the sixth, but could not get a run across. In the bottom of the seventh, senior Will Laws led off with a single. But El Toro got the first out on a popped up bunt. Senior Chris Rubottom hit a scary line drive back up the middle, but El Toro pitcher Chase Lutrell was able to get his glove up in time to protect himself and make the catch. He threw to first to get the double play.
“Today it came down to execution, they executed and we didn’t,” Griffin coach Matt Nuez said.
Despite the loss, Nuez said the team has played great at times this year. Once again the Sunset League will be a tough run, though the Griffins are 2-2 so far in the league season. Prior to the El Toro game, the Griffins defeated Edison, 7-5. Nuez said the Griffins have had success this season because they have played as a team, getting production from everyone.
If the Griffins are to make a run at a league title, it will take continued production across the roster. Nuez said the team has embraced the challenge.
“It’s a grinding group of kids,” Nuez said.
The Griffins will host Huntington Beach on Wednesday and then will play at Huntington Beach on Friday, April 7. Both games are scheduled for 3:15 p.m.
This article appeared in the April 5, 2017 print edition of the News Enterprise.