Baseball:
Josh Torres was going to make sure Azusa headed home from Lake Elsinore with a CIF-SS Division 8 championship.
And what a performance by the AHS senior.
Torres tossed a two-hit shutout in a 5-0 victory over Pacifica Christian at Diamond Stadium.
It was Azusa’s first CIF-SS baseball championship since Ronald Reagan’s first term (1983) as President of the United States.
Torres issued one walk and struck out 11 PCHS batters.
He needed just 81 pitches to finish what he started and 61 went for strikes.
Torres got seven of the nine Tritons on strikes at least once, including John Peterson, who went down looking to end the game.
Scout Escobedo had both of Pacifica Christian’s base hits.
John Coopman was charged with five runs on eight hits over five innings.
Coopman didn’t walk anyone, hit three batters, and he struck out six AHS batters.
Sixty-one of Coopman’s 85 pitches were strikes.
Torres helped his own cause by going 2-for-4 and scoring on Isaac Miranda’s RBI triple in the first inning.
Jacob Elliot singled twice, and he gave Azusa a 2-0 lead with his RBI single to plate Miranda.
Elliot scored a couple batters later on a single by Oscar Rojas.
Zach Huizar singled and scored for AHS.
Matt Huizar singled and EJ Romero scored one run for the D-8 champs.
Up next: The Aztecs will get their CIF State opponent this week, and they’ll have a first-round game a week from this coming Tuesday.
A huge thanks to Steve Ramirez for this video.
Quotable:
Azusa coach, Al Sanchez: “Josh is our MVP, and we wouldn’t be CIF champions without him. He brought Azusa to another level. He told me two months ago that “Coach, I’ve got you. We’re going to win a ring.” When we merged (Gladstone to Azusa)it took a little getting used to, because we (Gladstone coaches/athletes) were rivals. But credit to our guys, because this program became a family and we’re CIF champions. I am so proud of each kid in an Azusa uniform. They all did their part. Our guys battle from the first pitch to the last, and that’s why we’re champions.”
Azusa pitcher, Josh Torres: “I normally use my fastball, curve and slider and all three were working well today. I had a decent break on my curve and my slider seemed to keep them off-balance throughout. I was also able to hit my spots pretty well and I knew my guys would make plays behind me. It was such an incredible feeling after the last out. This was a team thing, and all the guys deserve credit for us winning a championship. When my guys got me four runs in the first inning, it took a lot of pressure off of me, and I just focused on doing my job. We had a goal since September to win a championship and we did this for our school, our city, friends, family and those that came before us. I have so much trust and confidence in my catcher, Joseph Duran, and that makes my job much easier. This team is full of guys with grit and each of them worked so hard to make this happen.”
Box Score:
PC: 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-(0)
A: 4-0-0-0-1-0-X-(5)
Win: Josh Torres
Loss: John Coopman
3B: Isaac Miranda (A)
Records: Pacifica Christian (22-7); Azusa (18-5)
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