SAN JOSE – Three days after defeating top-ranked Valley Christian immediately classic on Wednesday, Archbishop Mitty ended its run in its section playoffs with a dominant 6-2 victory over St. Ignatius within the Central Coast Section Division I title game on Saturday at Excite Ballpark.
The Monarchs won their second Central Coast Section title in three years.
“This was really special because of our journey,” Mitty coach Brian Yocke said. “There were so many ups and downs, and we just rolled with it. It would be easy to say, 'this isn't our year,' but these guys have never felt that way. It all goes back to their DNA.”
Senior Nico Rodriguez totaled two hits, two runs and one RBI. Centerfielder Tanner Kern had two hits, two RBIs and a triple.
“We found our rhythm last week,” said Rodriguez. “It was just really fun to be a part of it.”
The Monarchs didn’t let up on the St. Ignatius pitchers from the beginning of the sport
Mitty scored two runs in the primary inning and scored more within the second.
Rodriguez singled home Grayson Munoz and Derek Allen to present the Monarchs a four-run lead. Two at-bats later, Kern tripled home Rodriguez to extend Mitty's result in five runs.
By the tip of the second inning, the San Jose school had built a 6-0 lead.
Mitty's offense totaled eight hits in the primary 4 innings and knocked starting pitcher Will Siwinski out of the sport after 1 ⅔ innings. Siwinski got here into Saturday's game having allowed only one run in 13 starts.
“We trusted our offense and knew we would score if we stuck to our approach,” Rodriguez said.
St. Ignatius rallied within the fourth inning, scoring two runs to chop Mitty's result in 4 points, but that was the last time the San Francisco school had success on offense.
Mitty pitcher Luka Pintar pitched all seven innings, managed five strikeouts and allowed five hits.
Pintar ended the seventh inning by striking out three batters in a row.
“Pintar keeps you off balance,” St. Ignatius coach Brian Pollzzie said. “He's got a fastball, curveball, cutter and changeup. He mixes things up and keeps guys off balance, especially when they're ahead.”
After Wednesday's win against Valley Christian, the Monarchs were in top form.
Valley Christian beat Mitty twice this season and was the No. 1 seed and favorite to win the CCS title, however the Monarchs' storming 7-5 victory on Wednesday gave the San Jose school the boldness it needed to win the sectional final.
“We knew if we could beat Valley Christian, we could beat anyone,” Rodriguez said. “We're playing really good baseball now.”
Both teams can be curious to see who they may play within the CIF NorCal final next week when the regional schedule is released on Sunday.
But for now, says Yocke, he’ll attempt to enjoy this moment for so long as possible.
“The best thing is to see how happy these children are,” he said.
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