MANHATTAN BEACH — It took the perfect mix, but the Mira Costa baseball team produced a win Tuesday in the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs.

With key contributions throughout the lineup, the Mustangs staged a come-from-behind win over visiting Arcadia, 5-4, that extended their winning streak to 26 games.

The Mustangs (28-2) advance to the quarterfinals. They will be on the road Friday against No. 2 seed Crespi, with the start time set for 2:15 p.m.

The contest started out rough for Mira Costa, but freshman pitcher Kekoa Delatori settled down after allowing two runs in the first inning. Aiden Pinn replaced him on the mound and kept the Mustangs in striking distance. Mira Costa’s offense got on track late, and Lucas Schermer threw out two runners at the plate, including one on a long-distance relay in the fourth.

“Slow start. Two runs (allowed) in the first is never fun,” Schermer said, “but we’ve kind always been doing this.”

Mira Costa tied Arcadia (26-4) at 2-2 in the fourth with Joaquin Scholer RBI double and Dylan Sawin’s sacrifice fly.

Arcadia came right back and pulled ahead with two runs in the top of the fifth against Pinn for a 4-2 lead.

In the bottom of the inning, Elijah Fox led off with a single. Ace Tarango followed with a single and Harrison Belden laid down a perfect bunt that Arcadia’s infield misplayed, allowing Fox to score.

Schermer’s sacrifice fly tied the score, 4-4, and Scholer added another RBI double to give Mira Costa its first lead, 5-4.

“I thought we had a really good scouting report against these guys,” Mira Costa coach Andy Diver said. “Left-handed pitchers, not overpowering, will throw breaking balls a lot. We got up and on the plate and our lefties …. Beldy (Harrison Belden) laid down an unbelievable drag bunt to get us going, but Joaquin (Scholer) and Shane Huber had big days offensively, Joaquin especially.”

Arcadia jumped out early against Mira Costa starter Kekoa Delatori, scoring twice in the top of the first inning on four hits. To the freshman’s credit, he settled in for the next two innings and left after retiring the first batter in the fourth.

“He had probably a little bit of nerves,” Diver said of Delatori. “They scratched (scored two runs). His second and third innings of throwing zeroes is why we win today, because it could have gone south pretty quick against a really good team and he found a way to get it done.”

In the fourth, leading 2-0, Arcadia looked certain to extend its lead. On a Damian Catano drive to the right-field fence, Schermer took the relay throw from Scholer in the outfield and fired home to cut down the runner trying to score.

Schermer said he had been waiting for a play like that for four years.

Arcadia starter Gus Cooper was replaced by Catano to start the fifth inning. He was greeted by the first three Mira Costa hitters reaching and then Scholer’s second RBI double.

In the top of the seventh, Tarik Reese walked with one out. Pinn (3 1/3 innings) was replaced by Garrett Jacobs. Reese was thrown out trying to steal second and Jacobs ended the game with a strikeout for the save.

“This is a resilient group,” Diver said. “These guys are driven. They play the game hard, they play the game right, they execute …These are those type of games …It’s the Division 1 playoffs, everybody’s good, so you’re going to have to battle through some adversity and then you’re going to have to execute and these guys have done that all year.”

South Torrance 2, Sonora 0: Mason Tymick tossed a one-hit shutout in South’s second-round win in Division 4. Tymick struck out four for the Spartans (17-13).

Jonovan Talavera had two singles and scored a run. Owen Rhodes had a double, and Hayden Nelson had a double and an RBI.

South will host Oxnard Pacifica in the quarterfinals Friday.

Mary Star 12, Lancaster 2: The Stars (14-12) scored eight runs in the first inning in their Division 7 second-round win. Danny Avila pitched five innings for the win. He allowed two runs on seven hits.

Mary Star will host Garden Grove on Friday in the quarterfinals.

Originally Published: May 20, 2025 at 7:22 PM PDT