By Ryan Menzie
For The Signal
With Hart High having runners in scoring positions in the top of the sixth, the Millikan Rams made a clutch double play to close out the inning.
The missed opportunity was the story of the day for the Indians’ tough June 15 loss in the CIF Division 2 matchup with the Rams, according to Hart High head coach Jim Ozella, who also complimented Millikan’s pitching after the game.
“If the ball goes off the glove, we make the score 3-2,” said Ozella. “That was the ballgame right there. We didn’t hit very much; their pitcher did a good job on us. It was a real challenge and fun environment, but a tough game. A tough one to lose.”
The season isn’t over for the Indians (21-3) who face Arroyo Grande (26-4) on Tuesday in the state playoffs, which they qualified for automatically by making it to the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs.
“When you’re at this level, every game is a battle, every game is a challenge,” Ozella said.
Eddie Tejada, Hart’s senior center fielder who’s planning to play for Antelope Valley College next year, noted last week’s game came down to a few critical errors.
“I was bummed and disappointed in myself for not performing to the best of my ability,” said Tejada. “It came from two to three small plays that had a big impact on the game. It was a tough loss, but it was the game of baseball.”
