Cameron Mackenzie goes the distance for Woodbridge. For a look at game action, please click on the photo.
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SLIDE SHOW:- Warriors top T’Wolves, 6-3, in PCL baseball (pictures)
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By TIM BURT / The Orange County Register
Senior right-hander Cameron Mackenzie came through, pitching a complete game in the Warriors 6-3 win over Northwood at Northwood.
Anthony Torralba of Woodbridge scores from second on an error in the seventh inning to put the Warriors ahead, 4-3 as Northwood catcher Michael Tran waits for the throw.
TIM BURT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Mackenzie (3-1) scattered six hits and struck out six and was supported by an eight-hit attack.
Northwood first baseman Alex King tagged Mackenzie for a three-run home run in the first inning to put the Timberwolves ahead, 3-2.
But Mackenzie blanked the Timberwolves (6-4, 3-2) the rest of the way.
"Alex King is a great hitter and he made one mistake to a really great hitter and usually it doesn't cost you three runs but we had a walk and a catcher's interference before that," Woodbridge Coach Tim Murray said.
"Cameron MacKenzie is as good as it comes in this league and every time he's on the mound, he gives us a chance to win, and that's what you appreciate about a kid like that. He competes."
Woodbridge (5-6, 2-3) trailed, 3-2, before tying the game in the sixth inning. Connor Rogers drove home Mbusi Hlatshwayo with a sacrifice fly.
Then in the top of the seventh inning, Anthony Torralba led off with a double down the left field line. He came home when Brandon Smith reached on an error. The Warriors then scored two more runs, one coming on a sacrifice fly by Sam Lemmon.
Chad Jacob, who had reached on a walk, scored all the way from first base on an errant pick-off throw which went all the way down the right field line, for the other run.
"It was nice to see us compete today," Murray said. "I thought the game in the seventh was decided by our number nine hitter, Anthony Torralba.
"When the No.9 hitter can come up like that in a tie ballgame, that's big."
In the bottom of the inning, Mackenzie blanked the Timberwolves to earn the win.
It ended a frustrating afternoon for Northwood which stranded seven runners in the last six innings and made three errors in the game.
"They just out-competed us the whole game from the first pitch," Northwood Coach Rob Stuart said. "Give them credit, they played great and we flat-out got beat. I thought our pitchers threw great. Good for them, they came out and got a win that they needed to win.
"It really was a must-win for us. Every one is a must-win. It's a baseball game and you want to do things better. We got out-played and out-coached. They played better than we did."
Torralba had two hits and scored a run and Smith scored two runs for the Warriors.
Jack Pabich (2-1) pitched the first six innings for Northwood before being relieved by King.
