Game 2: Mustangs Sweep El Segundo, Walk-off Hit

It was a fitting end to a memorable night at Marine Avenue Park in Manhattan Beach as the Mira Costa Mustangs pulled out a walk-off win and swept visiting El Segundo in the second game of the inaugural Henry Pearson Classic doubleheader.

With the newly dedicated scoreboard at Marine Park displaying Pearson’s “Play For Fun” motto, the bottom of the Mustangs order did just that.

Tied 3-3 going into the bottom of the seventh, the Mustangs faced a stiff test with El Segundo’s top arm, USC-bound Nigel Nootbaar on the hill. But the Mustangs were undaunted.

Mira Costa’s Ryan Franklin drew a free pass to first base on four balls from Nootbaar. Bryan Afzali pinch-ran for Franklin and advanced to second on a passed ball. 

Austin Henning would then attempt to sacrifice bunt and did more than that, reaching on a fielder’s choice after Afzali slid in safely to third. Nootbaar walked Garrett Fedor and, with the bases loaded, the confident Turner Conrad delivered, making contact on a 3-2 pitch.

Conrad’s sharply hit ball to shortstop Grant Palmer brought home Brian Afzali for the game-winning run.

“I knew I was going to get an opportunity,” Conrad said. “Ryan had a big day for us and got a walk. From there I really was thinking about the dog-pile that was going to happen.”

The Mustangs (9-2) made the most of their five hits in the game, coming up with four runs and bringing their win streak to nine games after dropping their opening two contests. 

“Nootbaar is a great pitcher, he threw two days ago so I think that may have helped us a little, but our guys executed and came up when it mattered to get us the win,” said Mira Costa coach Cassidy Olson.

Michael Romo put in six workmanlike innings for Mira Costa, allowing three runs on eight hits. Austin Henning picked up the win for the Mustangs with a scoreless seventh.

“Our pitchers threw strikes in both games and we stayed confident at the plate. I think those were the keys to us picking up the wins,” said catcher Ian McLoughlin.

McLoughlin made a momentum-turning play in the seventh, making a diving catch on a pop-up bunt. He then alertly threw out Trent Miera at first base for a double-play.

“I dropped a relay [at home] from Garrett [Fedor] earlier and ever since that happened I wanted to pick up my team and I think it was a big play for us,” McLoughlin said.

Pitcher Eric Batty went 5 1/3 innings allowing three runs for El Segundo (4-7).

“We lost both times last year to them and this is a great way to start this classic with a blowout and a walk-off,” Conrad said.

“It feels amazing to get these wins,” he said.

The new lights at Marine Avenue Park that shone above the Henry Pearson Classic were donated by Manhattan Beach Resident Mark MacDonald and offered baseball fans and players alike a new experience for the new tradition.

In addition to the scoreboard, the Manhattan Beach City Council approved plans to build a commemorative wall honoring positive contributors to Manhattan Beach youth sports earlier this year (see accompanying photo). 

Pearson, renowned for his positive attitude and love of baseball, was eloquently summed up by former teammate and friend: "Henry was not just a glass is half full type of person. With Henry, the glass was overflowing with energy and joy of life,” read Jon Wilhite’s quote, which will be etched on the wall.

Wilhite was among the other community members paying tribute to Henry’s memory at the Classic. Henry, a former Mustang, died in a car crash on April 2, 2009, which also killed Courtney Stewart and Anaheim Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart when a drunk driver ran into their vehicle.

Against the perils of drunk driving, were Michael and Jon Wilhite, representatives from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, John Young, the founder of Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI), Manhattan Beach mayor Richard Montgomery and former Manhattan Beach Little League President Tom Tyrer.

Between games, several community members, including Pearson’s parents Nigel and Areta spoke.

Earlier: