Maggard serves up no-hitter

Rick Devereux

To say that Corona del Mat High pitcher Ben Maggard was in the zone

would be an understatement.

The senior right-hander no-hit visiting University Monday, 3-0, to

record the first no-hitter by a CdM pitcher since Ryan Lewis stymied

San Clemente hitters in 1998.

Maggard allowed only three base runners in the Pacific Coast

League victory, all three reaching via fielding or throwing errors.

“He was throwing strikes all day,” CdM Coach John Emme said. “He

was really hitting his spots.”

“I didn’t even know [it was a no-hitter] until I came off the

field,” Maggard said. “I just concentrated on getting first-pitch

strikes.”

Maggard tossed an economical 70 pitches to 23 batters through

seven innings. He threw 52 strikes and 18 balls, striking out five.

University went down in order in four innings, including a

six-pitch fifth when Maggard induced a groundout to the shortstop and

two groundouts to third.

“It was a masterful performance,” Emme said.

University (5-4, 1-1 in league) put only one runner in scoring

position. Kazuki Saito advanced to second on a throwing error to

first base and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Maggard closed the

Trojans’ window of opportunity, however, striking out the next

batter, then inducing a groundout to second base.

The Trojans hit one ball out of the infield, a line drive caught

by center fielder Tyler Ray. Maggard induced 14 groundouts.

It was the second consecutive complete-game shutout for Maggard

(2-1), who blanked Sunny Hills on 63 pitches in the Newport Elks

tournament March 12.

The Sea Kings (6-2, 2-0) have posted three shutouts this season.

“We are relying heavily on our pitching this year,” Emme said, a

contrast to last season’s CIF Southern Section Division III

championship squad which averaged 7.8 runs per outing. The Sea Kings

have scored more than six runs twice this season.

“Our pitching staff is doing a great job,” Senior Wess Presson

said. “We’re just waiting for our hitting to come together.”

University’s Thomas Solowynsky also had a no-hitter until Jake

Lemmerman led off the fourth with a single through the left side.

Lemmerman wound up on third when Tyler Lance reached base on a

fielding error, then Ray drove both in with a triple to center field.

CdM’s Taylor Alston led off the fifth with a walk, stole second

and scored on Lemmerman’s single to right field.

Solowynsky struck out five and allowed one earned run to drop to

1-1.

“I was very proud of our team,” University Coach Chris Conlin

said. “[CdM] is a very tough team. [Solowynsky] is only a freshman

and he did a great job out there. I was thrilled with how all of our

kids played.”

But Maggard’s outing created even more satisfaction in the CdM

dugout.

“I was trying to keep the ball away [from the hitters],” Maggard

said. “I’m feeling great.”

Presson, who was the catcher, gave some insight as to what

University batters must have been facing.

“I hate catching Maggard because his fastball is like a

knuckleball,” he said. “It just drops and is hard to track.”

It also marked the 20th consecutive league victory for the Sea

Kings.

“This team works well together,” Maggard said. “We’re just playing

baseball.”

CdM plays host to Calvary Chapel Wednesday at 3:15 p.m., in a

league contest.

Pacific Coast League

Corona del Mar 3,

University 0

Score by Innings

*--*

Uni 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 2

CdM 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 - 3 3 3

*--*

Solowynsky and Gomez; Maggard and Presson; W -- Maggard, 2-1. L --

Solowynsky, 1-1. 3B -- Ray (CdM).