Breakers fall to Costa Mesa

COSTA MESA “” The anxiety was understandable.

Both teams figured to have it in Thursday’s Orange Coast League baseball game between Laguna Beach High and Costa Mesa. After all, the winner would be in sole possession of first place in league with the first round down.

But, to Laguna Beach Coach Jeff Sears, it appeared that the host Mustangs did a better job of handing that anxiety. It showed in the Mustangs’ better at-bats, which they used to earn a 6-1 win that bounced the Breakers to second place.

“Knowing what was at stake, I think our guys were a little more tight than [Costa Mesa],” Sears said. “They were ‘loosey-goosey,’ and we weren’t ... Our hitting plans weren’t very good today, and when your hitting plans aren’t every good and a guy’s throwing strikes, he’s going to eat you up.”

Costa Mesa senior Tyler Peterson is the pitcher to whom Sears is referring, and he pitched a complete game to help Costa Mesa (7-4, 4-0).

The Breakers threatened in the first, when senior center fielder Dillon Pierce drew a leadoff walk and was sacrificed to second by senior third baseman Jake Sganga.

But Peterson got the next two hitters out, then sailed along until the fourth, when the Breakers (7-5, 3-1) got their only run.

With one out, Gabe Stansbury singled, and he went to third on a ground-rule double by sophomore shortstop Chris Paul.

Junior pitcher Casey Miller singled in Stansbury, cutting Costa Mesa’s lead at the time to 3-1, but was the extent of the damage.

Miller pitched five innings, giving up four runs. Senior Chris Taylor came in to finish the game.

Also of concern was junior catcher Spencer Freidenrich, who took a foul tip off his finger and had to leave the game. Sears said he hoped the injury wasn’t serious.

The Breakers play host to Calvary Chapel Tuesday in their next game.

“We’re done with this game,” Sears said. “The game is forgotten. We’ve got to prepare for next week.”