The stage was set for Carpinteria to pull out a dramatic CIF playoff victory and move on to the quarterfinals. Down 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh, the Warriors had the bases loaded with two outs against visiting Linfield Christian.
Carpinteria’s season came to an end as a fly ball was caught by the right fielder, securing a 2-1 win for the Lions in the Division 6 second-round game.
Miles Souza was the hard-luck loser in his final game at John Calderwood Field. The senior didn’t allow an earned run in a complete-game effort.
Carpinteria took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Erich Goebel lined a single to right to score Luke Lounsbury. Goebel had three hits.
The Warriors threatened in the fourth and sixth innings, but Linfield Christian pitcher Michael Beall was able to escape the jams.
While the loss was heartbreaking, Carpinteria coach Pat Cooney was impressed how his team exceeded expectations during this pandemic-impacted season and school year.
“Led by three strong seniors, the team is a bunch of gritty characters that became a team under tough circumstances,” he said. “Playing well and losing is a bitter pill to swallow but the big-picture perspective on the 2021 season is that it was sweet. Players, coaches, parents, umpires and all other participants were able to enjoy baseball season.
“Of course we would have liked to extend the season but we feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity. Our thanks and congratulations go out to everyone involved. The effort was worthwhile.”
While Carpinteria’s season ends abruptly, the Warrior seniors will be able to participate in graduation ceremonies on Thursday.
“It will be a proud moment for the program when Luke Lounsbury, Issac Castillo, and Miles Souza cross the stage at Carpinteria Valley Memorial Stadium on Thursday evening,” said Cooney.
Carpinteria, which won wild-card and first-round games on the road, finish at 13-7. Linfield Christian is 18-7.