LA COSTA CANYON HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

The Mavericks lost for the second time this year losing to the Rancho Bernardo Broncos 3-0. The game was highlighted by some excellent pitching by Doug Konoske. Konoske was cruising, retiring 13 straight batters. In the sixth the Broncos connected for three runs off Doug giving him his first loss of the year. The Maverick offense was never in the game getting just 2 hits, both by Nick Burke. The loss moves the Maverick record to 5-2 on the season. The Mavericks play at Vista on Friday.

The Maverick bats finally woke up on Friday against the Vista Panthers. Trailing 3-0 in the fourth the Mavericks decided to swing the bats. Doug Konoske led off the inning with a single to left that got by the left fielder for a triple. He scored on a Brett St. Amor single to right and the Mavericks were starting to get going. They scored 2 in the fourth, four in the fifth, and four in the sixth. Doug Konoske(3-4, 3 runs), Nick Burke (2-3 2B, 2 RBI's) helped lead the Mavericks to victory. On the mound Wes Schiller coming off an ankle sprain pitched five strong innings for his second win of the year. Garrett VanLeeuwen relieved to close out the game. The Mavericks move to 6-2 on the season, and play at home against Torrey Pines on Monday.

Nick Signaigo hit a two out seventh inning pitch over the right center field fence to clinch the victory for the Mavericks. The Mavericks had been handcuffed by the Valley Center pitcher all day only reaching base five times. The Maverick pitchers also had been just as dominating on the mound. Garrett VanLeeuwen started for the Mavericks going five strong innings allowing one run, striking out 3, and walking one. He was relieved by Jimmy Voaklander and Scott Clement in the sixth. Clement then retired the Jaguars in the seventh to earn his first varsity victory. The win moves the Mavericks to 5-1 on the season.

The Sun Devils (4-1) lucked out to advance past La Costa Canyon (4-1), Carlsbad (4-1), and Oceanside (4-1) on the tie-breakers to advance to the tournament championship game against Fallbrook (5-0). Mt Carmel earned the Falcon/Pirate tournament championship with a 7-5 victory over Fallbrook. Both teams are now 5-1, and El Camino is 2-3, indicating that the Avocado League will once again be one of the strongest high school baseball leagues in Southern California. Other scores: El Capitan beat Rancho Bernardo 2-1 to win the Hill Top Tournament.

Doug Konoske pitched a brilliant game against the Torrey Pines Falcons on Thursday. In his complete game he allowed one run, struck out ten, and walked one. Offensively the Mavericks were led by Chris Smith (2-3), and Kevin Patterson (1-3). In the third inning Chris Smith led off with a single to left. He moved to third on consecutive ground balls from Travis Jones and Nick Burke. With two outs Kevin Patterson came to the plate. On the 1-2 pitch the ball kicked away from the catcher allowing Smith to score. The next pitch Patterson homered to left center to put the Mavericks up 2-0. That ended up being the only runs they needed as Konoske slammed the door shut not allowing the Falcons to reach base after the fourth. The win moved the Mavericks to 4-1 on the season, and a tie with Mt. Carmel in the tournament bracket. Mt. Carmel advanced on the second tie breaker, which was the record of the opponents. On Monday the Mavericks begin the North County Tournament at Valley Center.