CALVARY CHAPEL 5, COSTA MESA 2:

COSTA MESA — The man in charge of the Costa Mesa High baseball team tried to calm everyone down Tuesday.

Coach Jim Kiefer jogged everywhere, toward home plate, in the infield, up the first-base line.

His first base coach argued with the base umpire. His starting pitcher barked at the home-plate umpire.

The same player threw his helmet in disgust after hitting into a double play with the bases loaded in the sixth inning.

The base umpire warned the player. Kiefer followed up at the end.

It’s getting late in the season again and Costa Mesa is losing at the wrong time.

The Mustangs dropped their first Orange Coast League game, a 5-2 loss to Calvary Chapel at Vanguard University. The site, the feeling is all too familiar for Kiefer and Costa Mesa.

In the regular-season finale last year, the Mustangs played the Eagles for the league championship. Costa Mesa lost, 4-3, falling short of winning its first baseball league title since 1978. Calvary Chapel added to its trophy case, claiming a third straight league crown.

Four in a row is a possibility.

With less than three weeks left in the regular season, the third-place Eagles (13-9, 4-3 in league) are back in contention. Another victory Friday at Costa Mesa (15-6, 8-1) and it might come down to the end again. Laguna Beach is in second place in league at 6-2.

“We were two [games] back with three to go [last year],” said Calvary Chapel Coach Doug Adams, whose team beat Costa Mesa in the final two games of the regular season.

“I wouldn’t say [the situation is the same]. We’re not the ballclub [of last year]. We have a little different personality than last year’s team. They’re really, really loose. It’s hard to get them serious.”

Playing relaxed is only going to benefit Calvary Chapel down the stretch.

The Mustangs can learn from the defending champion. Composure is a good start.

Starter Nick Pederson grew frustrated on the mound after the umpire called strikes balls. The senior’s temper stayed the same during his five-inning stint, a solid effort, allowing three runs on one hit.

The problem proved to be the seven walks and letting the calls going against Pederson get to him. Calvary Chapel managed just two hits, the other a one-run double in the sixth off reliever PJ Maloney, putting the Eagles up, 4-2.

“He got a little bit anxious there, a little bit emotional,” Kiefer said of Pederson, who fell to 4-3.

Both sides agreed the strike zone was a little off, not as much as Costa Mesa hitting with runners on.

Starting from the third inning, the Mustangs stranded too many runners. In the third, they left the bases loaded, following it up with leaving two runners in scoring position in the fourth, and the bases loaded again in the fifth.

“At this time of the year you have to take advantage of the opportunities you get,” Kiefer said. “We did a good job of setting the table. We just didn’t get that one hit.”

The clutch hit Kiefer wanted never came with the Mustangs behind, 3-1, in the top of the sixth.

The top of the lineup worked to perfection. Mikey Molina singled, and Brian Waldron and Maloney reached base via walks, loading the bases for Pederson, the cleanup hitter.

Before Pederson swung the bat with no outs, Adams pulled his second pitcher in favor of closer Ryan McDaniel. The 5-foot-8, 140-pounder is the perfect fit for chaotic situations.

“I’m a pretty intense guy,” McDaniel said after ending the drama and allowing starter Chad Wallach to improve to 6-2.

The right-hander induced a hard-hit grounder to second base. The Eagles turned the double play, giving up one run and upsetting Pederson in the process.

Pederson didn’t hurt the Eagles, just his helmet. He threw it after failing to beat the throw from second.

“Hey, it’s frustration there. It’s understandable,” Kiefer said. “He shouldn’t be taking his helmet off.”

Kiefer made Pederson pick it right up. Next thing the man in charge will try to do is pick up his Mustangs after they suffered their first league loss.

Orange Coast League

Calvary Chapel 5, Costa Mesa 2

SCORE BY INNINGS

Pederson, Maloney (6) and Hirsch; Wallach, Collier (5), McDaniel (6) and Petrilli. W – Wallach, 6-2. L – Pederson, 4-3. Sv. – McDaniel. 2B – Ballantyne (CC).

DAVID CARRILLO PEÑALOZA may be reached at (714) 966-4612 or at [email protected].