Virgen: CdM ready for playoffs

What makes a family a family? Is it love?

If that is the case, there is a lot of love on the Corona del Mar High baseball team. The players on the team have believed they have come together like a family this season. Last week’s inspirational moment from Alex Acevedo only made the bond stronger.

Acevedo’s name has become well known as the special-needs student produced an extraordinary “inside the park” home run in his first varsity at-bat in the bottom of the first inning on senior day against Irvine.

It was a special moment made because of both teams. CdM has an added spark as it heads into the CIF Southern Section Division 3 playoffs.

The Sea Kings (21-4), who finished third in the Pacific Coast League, play at Lake Elsinore Temescal Canyon (19-9) Friday at 3:15 p.m.

“If we weren’t close before, which we were, I think we are even more of a family now,” said Coach John Emme, in his 19th season with the Sea Kings.

Emme says he has received numerous congratulatory messages and well wishes from many in the high school baseball community.

Alex’s story appeared on local TV news, and reached many via social media.

Alex says he’s not sure if he will travel with the team on Friday. He’s already made quite a lasting impact.

“It feels pretty good to be well known,” he said. “It also feels good just to know that I’m an inspiration to a lot of special needs kids. That a lot of people said that they couldn’t do it. I basically put the stake in the ground, pretty much.”