By Steve Breazeale
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SC Boys Volleyball Takes Perfect Record Into Break
The San Clemente boys volleyball team is in the midst of a special season. They haven’t lost since February 26, their season opener. That February 26 win over Long Beach Poly was the first of what is now 20 straight wins.
The Tritons (20-0, 4-0 league) most recent win came in a 3-0 South Coast League victory over Capistrano Valley on April 4, which means their unbeaten streak will live for a little while longer while the team rests for 11 days before returning for a non-league match against Aliso Niguel on April 16.
The Tritons have racked up the wins behind a balanced effort that has multiple players contributing.
Senior outside hitter Lucas Yoder may get the lion’s share of the sets on offense, but on any given night, it can be another player, like seniors Garrett Costello or AJ Hammer carrying the
workload.
The offensive table setter for the group is senior setter Jack Yoder, who put on a show on April 2, tallying a game-high 75assists to ensure a come-from-behind win over rival Dana Hills.
Senior libero Grant Townsend provides energy and effort at his position and was responsible for extending crucial rallies in the Tritons win over Dana Hills. Townsend was all over the court in the game and tallied a team-high 21 digs.
Next Game: 4/16 vs. Aliso Niguel, 6:15 p.m.
Tritons Girls Swim Edges Dolphins
Needing a win over rival Dana Hills to stay atop the Sea View League standings, the San Clemente girls swim team benefitted from a late Dolphins relay disqualification to earn an 86-84 meet win. The Tritons are now 2-0 in league competition and are in a three-way tie for first-place with Laguna Hills and San Juan Hills.
Next Meet: 4/16 at Laguna Hills, 4 p.m.
Costales Delivers Walk Off as Tritons Beat Hawks 3-0
With one swing of the bat, San Clemente senior designated hitter Gage Costales erased all the frustration that has built up among Triton hitters who have faced Laguna Hills pitching this season.
In the two teams second meeting of the year on April 9, with the score tied at 0-0 in the bottom of the seventh inning with runners at first and third, Costales swatted a fastball offering from Laguna Hills’ starter Kevin Cunningham and planted it over the left field fence for a walk-off three-run home run and a 3-0 Sea View League win.
The runs scored on Costales’ hit were the first scored by the Tritons (16-3, 4-1 league) against the Hawks (13-7, 2-3) this year, as Laguna Hills took the first meeting 3-0 back on March 15.
After rounding the bases in a hurry, Costales was greeted at home plate by an excited mob of teammates.
“I was just sitting there looking fastball waiting for my pitch,” Costales said. “I was just waiting for it and at 3-1 (in the count) he gave me that fastball right down the middle and that was the pitch. It was amazing. It was the best feeling I’ve ever had.”
Because of a worn out arm, Costales has been getting playing time exclusively at the designated hitters spot. He started heating up last week while the Tritons were playing in the Anaheim Lions Tournament and head coach Dave Gellatly has had him in the lineup ever since.
Both starting pitchers looked to be in form, setting the stage for what was a dramatic seventh inning.
San Clemente senior pitcher Cody Maples retired the first 14 batters he faced before giving up his first hit with two outs in the fifth inning. Maples, who is coming off an injury, was on a strict pitch count of 60 and still managed to pitch six innings of one-hit shutout ball. He also struck out four Hawks batters and yielded no walks.
Cunningham used a mix of pitches to navigate his way through the Tritons lineup and did not give up a hit until the seventh inning when senior Brock Eissman laced a ball into a gap for a one-out double. Senior Jake Terkoski followed with a single and Costales shut the door with his biggest hit of the year.
The Tritons have now won 10 games in a row and were set to travel to play Laguna Hills again on April 10. Results were not available at press time.
Tritons Boys Lacrosse Grabs Pair of Wins
The Tritons improved to 9-3 on the season with a pair of non-league wins over Marina and Aliso Niguel on April 2 and April 4, respectively.
In a 12-2 win at Aliso Niguel, the defense set the tone by shutting down the Wolverines offense throughout, forcing 30 turnovers in the game. Stone Sims and Adam Brownell each had four forced turnovers, while Max Lepley, David Anthony, Austin McGowan and Syd Reynolds each had two.
In the Tritons goal, Thomas Ahola made nine first-half saves while Austin Boyer had five saves in the second half.
Sophomore attackman Jack Renard led the offense with four goals and two assists; Peyton Garrett added four goals while Robbie Burns had one goal and five assists.
Against Marina, the Tritons won 18-4. Austin Streeter led the team with six ground balls and had one goal and four assists. Renard had a career-best five goals and three assists, Burns had two goals and four assists and Garrett had three goals and one assist. Junior Torin Alm had one goal and two assists while Collin Zines added three goals.
Next Game: 4/13 at Nighthawk Open Tournament, San Diego, TBA.
Tritons Golf Drops Match to Titans, Preps for Diablos
A two-game series against Tesoro snapped what was a four-match win streak for the San Clemente boys golf team. After defeating their previous four opponents by a combined stroke average of 12.7, the Tritons (6-6, 3-2) dropped two non-league games to the Titans 193-206, 184-215 on April 2 and April 4, respectively.
The Tritons will now return to league play with a two-game series against Mission Viejo on tap for April 16 and April 18.
Christian Bailey Will Walk On At Nebraska
San Clemente senior wide receiver Christian Bailey has accepted a “preferred walk-on” spot with the Nebraska football team, according to head coach Jaime Ortiz. Bailey was a versatile weapon for the Tritons last season, as he rushed for 271 yards and scored six rushing touchdowns. He led the team with 45 receptions for 535 yards and four touchdowns.
On defense, Bailey was second on the team with 49 total tackles. He also returned punts and kickoffs.
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