The Coronado Islanders defeated Del Norte 5-2 today to win the CIF Division III Title. The Islanders got in front of the Del Norte Nighthawks early in the game, scoring two runs in the second inning. Senior Jack Harris lead off with a double, followed by a triple by Sophomore Briley Knight, scoring Harris from second. Senior Josh Leaser then hit a sacrifice fly to deep right field that scored Knight for the Islanders second run of the game.
Coronado held the Nighthawks scoreless through the first five innings with a combination of solid pitching and good defense. Pitcher Josh Leaser scattered six hits and stranded four Nighthawk runners in the first five innings before the Nighthawks finally broke through. In the sixth Del Norte strung together three singles with a stolen base, scoring twice to tie the game at 2-2. Zach Weller relieved Leaser in the sixth, stranding another Nighthawk runner and keeping the game tied 2-2.
The Islanders came right back in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Weller doubled and Jack Harris singled putting runners on first and third. Knight singled to right, scoring Weller from third and putting the Islanders up 3 -2. Travis Gilmore singled to right scoring Harris, and then Chris Cummins executed a perfect sacrifice bunt to score Knight from third. The sixth inning ended with the Islanders up 5-2 and needing on three more outs to capture the title.
Weller sent the Nighthawks home with just ten pitches in the seventh, getting a ground ball, a pop up, and a strikeout to finish the game and win the 2016 CIF Division III championship. Leaser pitched 5 1/3 innings giving up just one earned run but gets a no decision. Weller went 1 and 2/3 innings and gets the win. Briley Knight and Jack Harris were the the Islanders offensive stand outs. Knight was 2 for 3 with 2 RBI’s and 2 runs scored. Harris was 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored. Leaser, Cummins and Gilmore also each had one RBI.
The Islanders finish their 2016 campaign with a record of 30 wins and 6 losses. They were perfect at home, going 16-0 at the Sand Lot and 14-6 on the road, while setting a school record for wins in a season.
Coronado wins Championship!! 5-2 over Del Norte!! @sdbaseballticke @SDPrepInsider @SD_MAXPREPS @CoronadoIsland pic.twitter.com/4uS6HHxwMO
— Coronado Baseball (@coronadobase) June 4, 2016
