Defensive Shuffling Ends in First-Ever Coast Walkoff Win

LONG BEACH, CA – The Long Beach Coast (14-3) played the role of Tom in a cat-and-mouse walkoff victory over Jerry, the RedPocket Mobiles (1-16), on Saturday night in an 8-7 finish. Trailing on three separate occasions, the Coast fought back to a game-winning Matthew Bardowell RBI ground out for the franchise’s first walkoff win.

Down 3-0 out of the gate, designated hitter Eddy Pelc doubled home three runs to knot the score in the bottom of the second inning. The chase continued until the Mobiles nabbed a 7-5 lead at stretch-time. It was at that point, the L.B.C. skated into control.

Center fielder Emilio Corona knocked a single to left with a runner on first base. Mob left fielder Kishon Frett misplayed the baseball, kicking it to the wall allowing Corona to burst around the bases and score the tying run, adding a flourish to his 24th birthday.

When an errant foul tip injured Long Beach catcher Thomas McCaffrey in the top of the ninth, the defensive shuffle that ensued included substituting McCaffrey’s lineup spot for relief pitcher Steven Ordorica. The submarine pitcher – who had not taken a plate appearance since 2019 in the Alaska Baseball League – jumped into the defensive alignment at second base and batted second in the bottom of the ninth in a tied game.

Ordorica laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move the go-ahead run, catcher Cuba Bess, to third base with one out. Bardowell’s ground ball to short scored Bess and solidified victory.

The series finale kicks off at 1:05 p.m. PDT on Sunday. Catch the coverage as the L.B.C. strives for the series sweep and 12-straight wins on the Beach Ball Pre-Game Report at 12:45.

Jesse Cook