2008 Woodie Awards
Mendoza Pitches Vaqueros to a Victory and Sweep
Robert Radich
Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: Sports
The Vaqueros completed their season sweep of West L.A. College, 6-2 at Stengel Field last Friday due to the excellent pitching performance of starting pitcher Michael Mendoza.
Mendoza displayed impeccable control and confidence as he struck out six batters and held the opposing team to four hits in seven innings of work.
"He has pitched well out of the bullpen, racked up a lot of strikes and now as a starter he has done well for us," said Vaquero head coach Chris Cicuto.
During certain situations in the game, Mendoza showed the type of strength that is shown in pitchers that are destined for the next level. In the top-half of the second,
Mendoza gave up hits to the first two batters. After flying out the next batter to left, Mendoza stayed focused and struck out the last two batters of the innings.
"He showed confidence and has great composure, which is what's expected out of our starting pitchers," said Cicuto. "He doesn't get shaken up with runners in scoring position."
In the top third, West L.A. second baseman, Vince Valdez got things going with a quick base hit up the middle. Seconds later, Valdez got a quick jump on Mendoza to steal second base and once again, West L.A. was in scoring position for the second consecutive inning.
After a walk of the next batter, West L.A. had runners on first and second base. As Mendoza stepped on the mound, he turned his body around and looked back the runner. Valdez took off for third but Mendoza was there to pick him off for the first out of the inning. The inning ended with the last two batters striking out and leaving West L.A. with runners on base and nothing to show for it.
As the game progressed, both teams had the capability of scoring, but poor base running, good defense, and exceptional pitching made it difficult.
The bottom of the fifth began with a bang as the Vaqueros took the plate. Infielder
Mathew Magallon was the leadoff hitter for the inning and started with a hard liner to left field. It was followed up with a single to left by infielder Jean-Carlos Fernandez, which moved Magallon to third. It was the first time in the game, a player reached third successfully.
Mendoza displayed impeccable control and confidence as he struck out six batters and held the opposing team to four hits in seven innings of work.
"He has pitched well out of the bullpen, racked up a lot of strikes and now as a starter he has done well for us," said Vaquero head coach Chris Cicuto.
During certain situations in the game, Mendoza showed the type of strength that is shown in pitchers that are destined for the next level. In the top-half of the second,
Mendoza gave up hits to the first two batters. After flying out the next batter to left, Mendoza stayed focused and struck out the last two batters of the innings.
"He showed confidence and has great composure, which is what's expected out of our starting pitchers," said Cicuto. "He doesn't get shaken up with runners in scoring position."
In the top third, West L.A. second baseman, Vince Valdez got things going with a quick base hit up the middle. Seconds later, Valdez got a quick jump on Mendoza to steal second base and once again, West L.A. was in scoring position for the second consecutive inning.
After a walk of the next batter, West L.A. had runners on first and second base. As Mendoza stepped on the mound, he turned his body around and looked back the runner. Valdez took off for third but Mendoza was there to pick him off for the first out of the inning. The inning ended with the last two batters striking out and leaving West L.A. with runners on base and nothing to show for it.
As the game progressed, both teams had the capability of scoring, but poor base running, good defense, and exceptional pitching made it difficult.
The bottom of the fifth began with a bang as the Vaqueros took the plate. Infielder
Mathew Magallon was the leadoff hitter for the inning and started with a hard liner to left field. It was followed up with a single to left by infielder Jean-Carlos Fernandez, which moved Magallon to third. It was the first time in the game, a player reached third successfully.
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