Tolsma, Forshey Carry Warriors to Next Round
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cuesta | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
|
El Camino | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 8 | 10 | 1 |
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. --- No. 10 El Camino College completed a two-game sweep of No. 8 Cuesta with an 8-1 victory in the California Community College Baseball Southern California Regionals at Cuesta Field in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
A day removed from the Warriors' (31-11) pitching staff surrendering 14 runs and 16 hits, starting pitcher Elijah Tolsma would have none of that business. The freshman right-hander had the best start of his career as he pitched a complete-game gem. He allowed just one run on four hits, walked one and struck out six to lead ECC into the CCCAA Super Regionals for the fourth straight season since 2017 (no postseason in 2020, no season in 2021).
While the pitching was much different in game two for the Warriors, the offense continued its onslaught with eight runs on 10 hits. Theo Forshey led the way with the bat as he went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and four RBI.
Daniel Murillo, who went 6-for-6 in game one, tallied just one knock on Saturday but drove in another three RBI to go along with the five he drove in on Friday.
With the Warriors as the designated home team in game two, it was Cuesta who got on the board first as Cougars' (25-17) leadoff hitter Diego Murillo tripled off Tolsma to begin the game. Then, with two on and one out, Zach Tallerman singled to drive in the run and give the Cougars a 1-0 lead. The Cougars would load the bases with two outs in the first but Tolsma got Dalton Cram to fly out to center to end the threat.
That would be the last time the Cougars would have multiple runners on base against Tolsma the rest of the way. The freshman righty allowed a single to lead off the second, then commenced to induce a double play and retire 23 of the next 25 batters he faced including 10 in a row. The Cougars only reached on an error in the fifth inning and a leadoff double in the ninth.
The Warriors now await their next opponent in the CCCAA Super Regionals, which are slated for May 13-15 at the higher seed. The CCCAA will re-seed the brackets following the conclusion of the regional round.