Fast Start Propels Southridge Past Killian

Precision has its benefits. Just ask Octavio Mirabal, who didn’t waste pitches nor did he waste time.

The southpaw chalked up another sharp performance in his senior season on Monday evening to lead Southridge past Killian 3-0, in an 8A-16 clash at Southridge High.

The game took just one hour and 35 minutes thanks in part to Mirabal’s complete game four-hitter that featured no walks and nine strikeouts as he cooled off red-hot Killian (9-3, 5-2), which had won seven of its last eight games.

“Nothing seems to faze him, which is beautiful,” said Southridge Manager Ed Doskow, whose Spartans (8-2, 5-2) moved into a tie for second place with Killian. “He’s in his own world out there. The only thing I tell him is one pitch at a time.”

Mirabal, who upped his record to 5-0 and lowered his ERA to 1.20, recorded at least one strikeout in six of the seven innings, including the final batter to end the game. His command of the strike zone resulted in seven ground ball outs and a stretch in which he retired nine in a row.

“Outstanding performance,” said Southridge junior first baseman Jamar Criss, who ripped a two-run single up the middle during a three-run first inning. Criss finished 2-for-2, with two RBIs and also reached base in all three of his at-bats. He had been determined to have a good game against the Cougars.

“This was my redemption game,” Criss said. “Last year that same pitcher struck me out. And then the last time we played them I didn’t play because I was in a slump. I had to focus up.”

Diandre Amion drove in Josten Heron with the other run in the first inning. The three-run cushion proved to be more than enough for Mirabal, who helped his team avenge a loss to Killian earlier in the season. When Mirabal needed defense, it came through.

Southridge’s Rambert Paulino made two tough plays deep at second base for outs, but the play of the game came from JP Castaneda. The shortstop sprung high into the air to snag a hard-hit line drive by Freddy Zamora with two outs and a runner at third in the sixth inning.

“It was an unbelievable catch,” Doskow said. “That was definately a back-breaker. Zamora crushed it, and he had just enough on his vertical to get it.”

Zamora, who also belted a double down the left field line in the first inning, and Eddy Demurias (2-for-3) were the bright spots for Killian’s bats on what was otherwise a rare and tough day for the Cougars.

After a shaky first inning that featured three runs, a walk and two hit-batsman, Killian starter Keith Stevens settled down to pitch scoreless ball the rest of the way. He finished with a five-hitter and five strikeouts, but Killian’s offense was unable to overcome the early deficit.

“They were better prepared,” said Killian Manager Angel Herrera. “They executed. They were flat out a better baseball team today. We were outplayed, out-hustled. They were more enthusiastic than we were. We were out-coached. We did not show up and play well today. I blame myself. I’ve got to work to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

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