Not the ending Tigers wanted but Mosiello sees bright future for his program

By: Derryl Trujillo

Inland Sports Senior Writer

WP: Castillo, Josh – 6.2 IP, 3 Runs, 4 Hits, 4 BB’s, 6 K’s

LP: Thoulion, Kyle – 4.0 IP, 2 Runs, 4 Hits, 2 BB’s, 2 K’s

FULLERTON (Goodwin Field at Cal State Fullerton) – Four months ago if you had told first year Elsinore baseball coach Matt Mosiello that his Tigers would be playing on championship Saturday his response would have been one of laughter. Yet that is exactly what happened as the Tigers knocked off #1 Aquinas in the semifinals to earn their berth.

Junior starting pitcher Kyle Thoulion was able to hold La Habra in check for three innings, facing two men over the minimum (bloop single by Adrian Diaz & double by Matthew Flores) in shutting out the Highlanders.

Then in the fourth things got rolling as La Habra sent seven men to the plate and scoring two runs with one hit (leadoff single by David Shackelford on a 3-2 count). Runs scored on a sacrifice fly by Peyton Lee and an error before Thoulion induced a double play to escape further damage.

Two more runs came home in the Highlander fifth against Chad Horton as Lopez (single to left) and Shackelford (walk) scored on an Adrian Diaz infield single and subsequent throwing error.

In the Tigers second, they had a premium opportunity against Castillo but could not punch through. Dallas Slayton led off the inning with a walk & then Thoulion singled up the middle. Castillo struck out Dillon Slayton and then on a squeeze attempt Dallas Slayton was tagged out in a rundown. Cole Draheim hit one sharply to the third baseman which ended the inning.

Four more runs scored in the La Habra sixth before Elsinore scored three in the seventh on Semaj Moore’s RBI single, a wild pitch which scored Thoulion (one out single), and Isaac Martinez’ fielder’s choice. It ended on a pop out.

Mosiello said “It took us awhile, but the kids bought into what we were presenting as a new staff and I’m so proud of how hard they’ve worked this season. Kyle kept us in that game early and if a couple things fall differently who knows how it would have gone. We have done a good job of changing the culture quickly here. Guys now come to the field expecting to win and with a young group that’s exciting to see.”

Thoulion was 2-for-3 at the plate for Elsinore. Diaz had a 2-for-2 day while Matt Flores and Jesse Lopez were 2 for 4 for La Habra.

Derryl Trujillo can be reached by email at socaltrekkie@gmail.com.

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