Case Masterful as Warriors Blank Mt. San Jacinto in Game One

TORRANCE, Calif. --- David Case had his finest start of the season on the mound as No. 11 El Camino College shutout No. 14 Mount San Jacinto, 2-0, in game one of the California Community College Athletics Association Baseball Southern California Regionals on Friday afternoon at Warrior Field.

Case tossed his first complete game of the season as he allowed just two hits, walked three and struck out 10 on 109 pitches to pick up his fifth win of the season. He faced just four batters over the minimum and allowed just one base runner to reach third base.

The left-hander set the tone quickly, striking out the first five hitters he faced. At one point he retired nine in a row and 15 out of 16 batters from the fourth inning through the eighth. He walked the leadoff hitter in the ninth but retired the next three batters to complete his gem and secure the 1-0 series lead for the Warriors.

His counterpart was solid as well for the Eagles (29-11) as lefty Nolan LaChappa kept the Warriors off the scoreboard in his six innings of work. He allowed five hits and walked four but struck out seven.

Reliever Aidan Magana would take the loss as he allowed two unearned runs and one hit with one hit batter. He struck out two.

The Warriors' offense did not have too many issues getting runners on but had a devil of a time bringing them in as they went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

The breakthrough came in the seventh thanks to a throwing error by Eagles third baseman Adrian Vento. Magana entered the game in relief in the seventh and struck out the first two batters of the inning before hitting Ethan Felix with a pitch. Juan Carlos Camarena then hit a routine grounder to third but Vento shorted the throw to first where Nico Reyes could not come up with the pick, allowing the Warriors to get runners on second and third. The error proved costly as Elijah Tolsma punched a single through the left side to score both runners and give Case all the run support he would need.

Tolsma was the highlight offensively for both sides as he went 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBI. Felix was 1-for-1 with two walks and a hit by pitch.

The Warriors will look to close out the series in game two on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. The Eagles will be the designated home team. If the Eagles are able to tie the series, a winner-take-all game three would begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of game two.