Carpinteria erupted for six run in the first inning and rolled to a 14-4 win at Desert Christian in a first-round game of the CIF-SS Division 6 playoffs on Friday in windy Lancaster.
The Warriors took advantage of the wind blowing out to left field, as leadoff batter Erich Goebel smacked the first pitch of the game into the gap for a triple. Isaac Flores and Diego Nieves followed with doubles as the Warriors roughed up Desert Christian ace Chris Gonzalez.
Goebel scored three runs on the day while Flores contributed two doubles and three RBIs. Joaquin Ramirez collected three hits, a run and an RBI, while Gabe Martinez had two hits, scored a run and drove in two.
Carpinteria’s pitching and defense held up their end of the bargain as well. Shane Goodmanson picked up his seventh win of the season. He scattered seven hits and four walks and surrendered four earned runs over five innings of work.
Gabe Martinez pitched two scoreless innings of relief.
Desert Christian ended the year at 15-4-1.
The Warriors (13-8) committed just one error on the unfamiliar infield surface and the outfield covered the spacious outfield territory with skill, said coach Pat Cooney.
Flores made two diving plays in left field that ended Desert Christian threats.
“The game simply could not have gone better,” said Cooney. “In a single elimination game on the road, you have to score early and often. The offense had the right mindset and squared up some fastballs. The baserunners remained ready to take advantage of each opportunity.
“We felt like our pitching effort was gritty too. There is an increasing level of trust within our batteries and it sets the tone for the rest of the bunch. The defense expects the ball to be put into play and they want the ball hit to them.”
Carpinteria will be home for a second-round game on Tuesday against Norwalk at 3:15 p.m.