ROUNDUP : Capistrano Valley Keeps Plugging Away, Beats El Modena

After three consecutive postseason victories, Capistrano Valley must be wondering why it is only in the second round of the Southern Section 4-A playoffs.

After a league playoff victory over Irvine and a wild-card triumph over Redondo the past week, the Cougars (17-11-1) eliminated Century League champion El Modena, 5-3, Friday at El Modena to advance to meet Troy in Tuesday’s second round.

Pitcher Chris Patton, with excellent defensive backup from shortstop Cade Gasper, went the distance, limiting the Vanguards (17-7) to five hits and no walks. Gasper contributed nine assists, including a sensational backhand stop and throw for the game’s final out.

Gasper and Patton also combined to break a 3-3 tie in the fifth inning. Patton walked, reached third on a stolen base and sacrifice and scored on Gasper’s ground ball to second for a 4-3 Cougar lead.

Patton also drove in the final run by beating out a grounder to third, scoring Jonathan Petke.

“Petke ran against the sign,” Capistrano Valley Coach Bob Zamora said. “You can call it a great hustle play, but you have to have some discipline and he’ll be spending one hour this week pulling weeds in the Capistrano Valley outfield.”

Capistrano Valley took a 3-1 lead on a two-run single by Tim Lyons in the second and a run-scoring base hit by Brand Caso in the third. El Modena tied the score in the bottom of the third when a balk put Chad Henderson and Anthony Viramontes in scoring position. Both runners came home when Gavin Brown beat out a ground ball to third.