Bellflower baseball comes back to extend wiing streak

LAKEWOOD >> It wasn’t easy, but Bellflower High School’s baseball team won its ninth consecutive game at Mayfair on Wednesday by coming back from a three-run deficit in the sixth and seventh iings to win the Suburban League game, 5-4, in 10 iings.

“The resiliency this team shows is amazing,” Bellflower coach Keith Tripp said of his team, which has won its last four one-run games. “They have a never-quit attitude and they have a belief that anyone is capable of getting the job done. Just like Josh (Montero) did.”

In the top of the 10th iing, Bellflower (17-4, 9-0 Suburban League) got a one-out triple from David Izarraraz. The senior was brought home a few pitches later by freshman catcher Josh Montero’s RBI single through the right side for the game-wiing run. Senior pitcher Jorge Rodriguez closed out the bottom of the iing to pick up the win after six scoreless iings of two-hit relief.

“When we’re in one-run games, our fire and ier strength comes out,” Rodriguez said. “When I’m on the mound in those close games I trust my defense. We’ve got the best guys out there.”

It was the Mayfair defense that stole the show in the first four iings as the Monsoons (8-10, 2-5) cut down three Buccaneer base ruers in scoring position.

With the score tied at 1 in the fourth iing, a two-out rally gave Mayfair the biggest lead of the day. After Key Luna doubled and Matt Gutierrez reached on an error, Monsoons pitcher Eric Chavarria drove in Luna with one of his four singles in the game. AJ Quezada followed with a base-clearing double to put Mayfair up, 4-1.

Chavarria found trouble when he lost his control in the sixth iing and he was pulled. Bellflower scored twice in the iing with an RBI double by Justin Feandez. Aaron Orozco had an RBI single in the seventh iing to tie the game at 4 and keep the Buccaneers alive.

Mayfair stranded 11 ruers on base, five in scoring position in the first five iings.

“That was a very competitive game from both teams, but we had to take advantage of early opportunities,” Mayfair coach Day Gonzales said. “I think this game will help our competitive fire.”

Bellflower leadoff hitter Joseph Borges and Mayfair shortstop Luna both had two hits and two runs scored.

The two teams will meet again on Friday at Bellflower.

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