PEBBLE BEACH — Wins over the Robert Louis Stevenson Pirates last week have the King City Mustangs optimistic as they reach the last month and a half of Mission Trail Athletic League play.
King City improved to 6-2 in league as they defeated the Robert Louis Stevenson Pirates in a home and away series.
“We will only go as far as our pitching can take us,” said King City head coach Lorenzo Espino. “Our team is scoring runs and playing well defensively right now. When you hit the ball and score runs it is easy to play good baseball.”
Last Tuesday at home the Mustangs shut out the Pirates by a 12-0 score as Brian Lopez allowed just one hit in five innings on the pitching mound. Lopez earned the pitching victory and finished with six strikeouts in five innings of work.
Lopez was praised by Espino for keeping the Pirate hitters off balance and for limiting the top three Stevenson batters to a one of 12 performance at the plate. David Ortiz was an offensive standout for the Mustangs with two hits and had three RBIs. Carson Caulk and Tommy Stephens each had two hits, Ian Espino added a hit and an RBI and Cedrick Perez had two basehits.
King City took the lead for good with a five-run second inning.
On Friday in Pebble Beach Clay Barbree threw three innings. John Serrano threw one inning and Brian Lopez threw three innings in a 9-4 victory over the host Pirates. King City scored nine runs in the first inning as Caulk, Perez and Stephen had two hits apiece.
“RLS stayed in the game with a few runs,” said Espino. “We were able to string a few extra runs to add to the lead. We finished the game with eight hits.”
King City (9-5 overall) hosted the Marina Mariners yesterday afternoon and play the Mariners on Friday on the Monterey Peninsula.
