CCS Focus (CA): Semifinals Update Pt 1

Central Coast Section, CA - Wednesday saw both the Open Division and Division 2 Semifinals completed and in this piece I’m going to provide game coverage and player notes from the Open Division Semis games at San Jose Municipal Stadium while also providing game scores from the Division 2 Semis that occurred at Washington Park in Santa Clara. The Open Division Final will be at San Jose Municipal Stadium on Saturday at 7PM while the Division 2 Finals will be tonight at San Jose Municipal Stadium.

Be sure to click on players names for more notes, video and previous coverage.

Game Notes:

Game 1: (2) Archbishop Mitty vs (6) San Benito

San Benito got on the board first when 2019 SS Brady Miguel reached on a dropped 3rd strike stole 2nd base and got to 3rd on a Sac Fly before an error at SS brought him around. 2020 1B Aidan Shaw then tripled into LCF to make it 2-0. It looked like it was going to be a strong day for the Balers offense after that first, but their pitching and defense did not help them as they had to go through 6 pitchers in 5 innings. Their only other offensive threat came in the 3rd when 2019 C Burley walked followed by a 1B from 2020 RF Marcus Aranda and a HBP loaded the bases. 2020 3B Austin Salamida cleared the bases with a triple past the 3rd baseman to keep the Balers in the game and make it 6-5, but that would be it as the Mitty offense continued their relentless attack.

Mitty’s offense was the story from this game as they showcased their ability to grind out AB’s, being patient and putting consistent pressure on San Benito as they brought at least 7 hitters to the plate in every inning. In the 1st, 2019 SS Jonah Advincula reached on an infield single showing off his speed going down the line (4.02 H-1st). 2020 CF Nick Yorke showed feel for the barrel on an offspeed pitch staying locked and flaring it into RF. 2019 3B Connor Leaverton walked and 2019 1B Joe Yorke singled making it 2-1. A walk brought in the 2nd run before a Sac Fly by 2022 2B Zach Yorke made it 3-2. In the 2nd inning, Advincula singled to CF before stealing 2nd base and getting to 3rd on the overthrow. 2021 OF Reymello Murphy walked and Nick Yorke drove in Advincula with a deep Sac Fly. Leaverton then tripled on a ball that was scorched off the 1st baseman's glove and still made it almost to the wall down the RF line. He then came in on a passed ball making the game 6-2. Mitty loaded the bases again in the 3rd with Murphy spraying a ball to LF to score 2 more runs. The 4th saw 4 hits and 2 walks to add 3 more runs before getting 4 runs in the 5th to end the game by run rule 15-5.

Game 2: (1) Valley Christian vs (5) Serra

Valley wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as 2020 OF Eddie Park walked before coming all the way around to score on a double by 2019 OF Coleman Brigman. 2019 OF Steven Zobac reached on an error with both Zobac and Brigman scoring on a long 2B off the wall from 2021 RHP Jonathan Cymrot. 2019 DH Mark Fairweather singled through the 6 hole and that would be it for the Serra starting pitcher. 2019 C Jason Siri doubled into LF and that put 5 runs on the board for Valley Christian in the 1st inning. In the 2nd, Park flared a ball over the 3B head to grab a leadoff double before getting to 3rd on a wild-pitch and coming home to score on a Sac Fly from Cymrot. 2020 3B Stevie Hom crushed a solo HR in the 3rd, making it 7-1. The Warriors got 3 more in the 5th with Hom picking up another RBI on a single before he singled again with the bases loaded in the 6th to bring the run-rule into effect and give Valley Christian the 11-1. On the hill, 2021 RHP Jonathan Cymrot got a huge double-play in the 2nd with the bases loaded to keep Serra off the board. Serra’s lone run came in the 3rd when the 1st two runners singled and 2021 3B Thomas Ghould came around to score on a passed ball. Cymrot settled in after that inning pitching around two walks in the 4rd and cruising through the final two frames to pick up the complete game victory.

Division 2 Scores:

(3) Christopher - 6, (2) Aptos - 0

(12) Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep - 3, (1) Monterey - 0

Players of Note:

+2019 SS Jonah Advincula (Mitty) - On base 5 times today being the igniter the MItty offense needed. Simple approach at the plate with solid bat-to-ball skills showing compact swing with the ability to get it through the zone and use his speed to create extra base hits. In his 1st AB he got jammed but beat the throw using his speed to get down the line (4.02 H-1st). That speed was evident again when he stole 2nd and advanced to 3rd on the overthrow. In his final AB he kept the hands tight and drove a pitch down the RF line standing up into 3rd base. On defense he shows the footspeed to play SS, but with his athleticism is probably best in CF where his arm strength plays up.

+2021 OF Reymello Murphy (Mitty) - Uncommitted. Continuing on his breakout campaign, Murphy was on base 4 times with 2 walks and 2 hits while also picking up 3 RBIs. The swing is oppo-centric with an inside out approach to tit, but he’s got loose wrists and as he plays the game more will learn to whip the barrel head through the zone and add more offensive firepower to his arsenal. He’s a true athlete and that shows with how easily the game comes to him including in the OF where he covers a lot of ground with quick first step reactions.  

+2020 OF/SS Nick Yorke (Mitty) - Arizona Commit. On base three times with a 2B, BB and HBP. Does everything you want in a baseball player. Started pregame in CF (where he played all game) before moving to SS as he continues to work arm back to full strength. Made a play up the middle in pre-game that was big time going across the bag, spinning and throwing a strike on the bag all with full body control. In 1st AB, worked 2-2 count getting breaking ball down off the plate staying locked in on the pitch and showing his feel for the barrel able to flick it and lace the ball over the 1st baseman's head for a standup 2B. In CF he’s got plus range able to cover any ball hit out there.

+2019 3B Connor Leaverton (Mitty) - West Valley College Commit. Continues to swing a big bat for Mitty having three balls hit on the nose in this one. Triple past the 1st baseman was an absolute rocket that carried all the way to the wall. Had another sharply hit ball at SS and at 1st base later in the game as well showing some late bat speed against low-mid 80’s velocity. His range at 3B is fair with enough arm to stick at the position.

+2019 1B Joe Yorke (Mitty) - Boise State Commit. 3-4 day with four quality AB’s showing the bat speed and patience at the plate. Showed his feel for the barrel as well being able to lace singles to LF, RF and LCF with the lone out being a well struck fly out to CF where his timing was just off. Good footwork around the bag at 1st with a soft glove.

+2022 2B Zach Yorke (Mitty) - Uncommitted. Had 4 quality AB’s including 2 hits, walk and sac fly while also picking up 2 RBI’s. Really impressed how he handled the pressure of big game playing like it was a regular season game. His defense has continued to improve as the season has progressed turning into a solid second-baseman. Showed his range going into foul territory on a pop up behind 1st covering a lot of ground and calling off other players to make the catch before having another one in RCF that he ranged back on. Simple approach at the plate looking to stay to the middle of the field keeping hands tight to the body. INF in late he stayed on an offspeed pitch and got enough of the barrel to hit it past the SS and drive in a run.

+2020 1B Aidan Shaw (San Benito) - Uncommitted. 2-3 with 3B, 1B and RBI. Strong frame showed good swings all day with 3B into deep LCF turning on a FB and showing easy loft in the swing. Later singled on ball that was up while also missing another hit when he got under a pitch for along fly out. Range at 1st is shallow, but is a good target at 1st with some athleticism to cover laterally over there. Large, physical frame that is strong with wide shoulders, more pop could show up in the bat quickly.

+2019 C Jacob Burley (San Benito) - Brown Commit. 1-1 with a Sac Fly and walk at the plate including 2B into LF that bounced off the 3B bag. Patient hitter who understands the game and tries to help his team and will fight AB’s fouling off good pitches. Was a rough day behind the plate as his pitchers beat him up a bit with some tough blocks that led to runners advancing and overall poor control on the day. I like the upside of the catching skills and his consistency with his catch and throw skills, plus his ability to have consistently good AB’s.

+2021 RHP Jonathan Cymrot (Valley Christian) - Arizona Commit. Showed off his two-way abilities with big day at the plate and pitching 6 innings of 1 run ball. At the plate started the scoring for Valley with a long 2B off the wall to drive in 2 before picking up a 3rd RBI in Sac Fly during 2nd AB. He’s done a good job of lifting the ball to the pull side this year and helped him to hit the ball harder as the season has progressed. On the mound worked mainly FB/CB with a few CHG thrown in when facing the LHHs. FB 82-84 T85 MPH showing cut off the plate and attacking both sides of the plate; has times where he will lose control of the pitch mainly glove side when arm is not in sync with lower half mechanics. CB 68-73 MPH had tight spin with some deep bite in 11/6 shape getting better as the game went along and grabbing punch outs. He threw the pitch early for feel and through the zone for swing-and-miss later in counts. CHG 77-78 MPH showed arm-side fade against LHH’s working the pitch off the plate.

+2020 3B Stevie Hom (Valley Christian) - Uncommitted. Went 3-4 with 3 RBI’s and a HR to LF. Put together consistently good AB’s in the lower part of the order including the big solo HR. Barrel head is on time and working with upwards path through the zone showing some late speed on the HR from a controlled swing. Middle-Pull approach looking to get the bat out in front of the plate on pitches. Plays a solid 3B with decent range and arm strength to stick at the position.