Servite Pounds Westminster to Win 4th Title

Top-ranked Servite became the first county team to clinch an outright league championship, winning a fourth consecutive Golden West title with a 10-0 victory over Westminster on Wednesday.

It was the first championship for Coach Todd Cook, who replaced Tom Tereschuk, now at Villa Park. But Cook does not want it to be the only thing the Friars (19-2, 12-0) celebrate.

“This was the first of our goals this season,” said Cook, who was the team’s pitching coach under Tereschuk. “We want to try to go through league unbeaten. We want one of the top four (section Division I) playoff seeds. And we want to go into the playoffs on a roll. So we won’t be taking anything lightly the last three games.”

Wednesday’s victory over the visiting Lions (12-8-1, 7-5) did provide one benefit. Cook said he will now save staff ace Brian Wolfe for Saturday’s game against second-ranked Mater Dei at Cal State Fullerton. Saturday’s game is a makeup from a game rained out this season.

“He wants the chance to pitch against them,” Cook said. “I don’t think I could keep him out of the game if he did pitch on Friday [against the Lions].”

Senior catcher Ryan Garko, who has played on four league champions, said the Friars have the talent to do well in the playoffs. “I think this team is as good as the one my sophomore year, and has deeper pitching than last year,” he said.

Garko, who had two hits and scored three runs, said the Mater Dei game will be big. “I’ve played against them in football. There is such a rivalry between the schools.”

Servite backed starter Joe Schaefer (6-0) with 11 hits, including doubles by Chris Klemm, Enoch Choi and Matt Gogan. Mike Goldsmith drove in three runs with two singles. Gogan had two RBIs.

Schaefer struck out eight and gave up only five hits in a game shortened to six innings because of the mercy rule. Jarod Jenkins (2-1), the first of four Lion pitchers, took the loss.

The loss dropped Westminster, which hosts Servite on Friday, into a tie with Tustin for second in the league. Tustin and Westminster play each other twice next week to end the regular season. Westminster won the first game between the teams.

“Our goal is to win two of the next three games,” Westminster Coach Bill Whiteley said. “If we do that we should get into the playoffs.”

In other Golden West League games:

Tustin 15, Saddleback 3 (5, mercy)--Junior first baseman Chris Hanson went two for three with four RBIs for Tustin (12-8, 7-5). Second baseman Dan Hippert went two for three with two RBIs for the visiting Tillers.

Santa Ana 8, Ocean View 4--Freshman Emanauel Zamora (1-0) gave up one hit in six innings for Santa Ana (5-17, 2-10). Junior Joel Hernandez went two for three with two RBIs and picked up his third save for the Saints.