Peabody’s World Series hopes dashed with second defeat

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The talk all week has been about the California offense, the 98 runs they scored in their regional tournament and the seven homers Saturday night against Kentucky.Click here for the photo galleryMore than 10,000 people packed Volunteer Stadium Sunday night and were treated to a tight pitchers’ duel for five innings between Peabody’s Matt Hosman and California’s Luke Ramirez before The Chula Vista offense showed up, in a big way, in the sixth inning.Ramirez out dueled Hosman and a late power surge by California spelled the end of the line for Peabody West who fell to 0-2 in pool play after the 14-0 loss.”We almost pulled it off,” Peabody manager Dave Batchelor said after the game. “We almost got it done. We had some chances and just could not get that extra hit when we needed it.”Ramirez worked four innings, surrendering two hits and walking two. He struck out 11.Hosman worked 4.2 innings, giving up three hits and two runs, one earned. He walked two, hit a batter and struck out nine. He was lifted after hitting Ramirez in the head on his 87th pitch of the night.He struck out the side in the first and fourth innings.”He (Hosman) pitched great. They got two runs off of him and they really only should have had one,” Batchelor said. “Matt has been our number 1A pitcher all year and he deserved a shot to pitch against them. I thought after watching their game (Saturday) night I thought maybe he could throw the ball past them.”I just told (Hosman) to go out there and throw it hard,” Batchelor said. “If they hit it, good for them. If they don’t hit it, good for us.”California’s Andy Rios was the offensive star in the 12-run sixth inning, belting a pair of 2-run homers.”I said to Danny (Marchese), our assistant coach, this (sixth inning) is a shame,” Batchelor said. “If all you saw was the score it looks like we got blown out. With any luck at all we could have got out of that inning. There were a couple of balls that could have been outs.”In all, Chula Vista pounded out 15 hits and has outscored their two opponents by a combined score of 29-0. They have belted 10 homers in the two games and collected 32 hits, while giving up just seven hits, six to Peabody.”We were close,” Batchelor said. “It would not surprise me if they go on to win it all.”California drew first blood, getting a run in the top of the second.Oscar Castro started the inning with a hard-hit grounder that hit the gap in right-center field. After Hosman got Daniel Porras to foul out to right and struck out Markus Melin, Seth Godfrey hit a grounder to second that could not be handled and Castro beat Matt Correale’s throw to the plate.California added a second run in the fifth when No. 9 hitter Godfrey drove a Hosman offering deep over the center field fence.For the second consecutive game Peabody turned in a defensive gem.In the top of the third with two outs and a man on first California’s Bradley Roberto hit a blooper behind third in short left field. Peabody shortstop Austin Batchelor, going to his right, made a diving catch to end the inning.”Everyone was all pumped up after Austin’s catch,” Batchelor said. “He was obviously happy with the play. It was a great catch.”Peabody’s first scoring chance came in the bottom of the third with two outs. Batchelor hit a grounder to third and a wild throw enabled him to get all the way to third. California pitcher Luke Ramirez put out the fire when he struck out Traverse Briana.Peabody got the tying run to third base with one out in the fourth when Anthony Cravotta walked (Nick Bona ran) and a pair of passed balls moved him to third. A walk to A.J. DiFillipo set up first and third with one out. DiFillipo took second but Ramirez got J.J. Layton and Cody Wlasuk on strikes to end the inning.”I thought about bunting there but they were playing in so tight on defense and (Layton) was making contact so I was thinking if he got his bat on the ball it might get past them for a hit,” Batchelor said. “It is so har