The Culver City varsity baseball team played San Luis Obispo high school in the second round of the CIF playoffs last Tuesday after press time. If the Centaurs win that game they will probably face South Bay rival Redondo Beach Union on Friday in the third round of the playoffs. To find out where that game will be played contact Culver City high school.
If the 20-7 Centaurs face the 27-2 Sea Hawks that will probably produce a matchup of two of the best pitchers in California. Culver City will send hard throwing senior Nolan Martinez to the mound and Redondo will counter with Sean Reynolds. The 6’2 175-pound Martinez is 8-2 and the 6’8 205-pound Reynolds is 9-0.
“This team was put together four years ago to win in the CIF playoffs,” said Culver City head coach and Ocean league coach of the year Rick Prieto. “We have won 14 games in a row and that’s pretty good but we have been very fortunate. Our hitting has been really good and we are scoring timely runs. Our goal this season is to get to the championship game and I hope we get that opportunity.”
Although a lot of people talk about Culver City’s pitching and hitting, it’s the defense that is the Centaurs secret weapon. “Our defense has been great this year,” said Prieto. “Our shortstop Kevin Murillo is a four year starter and so is Michael Netzel. Max Sterner is another player who stepped right into the varsity program three years ago and has never come off the field.”
If Martinez pitches on Friday he hopes there will be another big crowd like there was at Culver City last Friday in their win against Elsinore in the first round of the CIF playoffs. “I really enjoyed the big crowd,” said Martinez, after his three hitter against Elsinore. “It gave me a good feeling.”
Every time Martinez takes the mound there are 10 to 15 professional baseball scouts watching him. “I don’t see the scouts as someone who is watching me,” said Martinez. “I see them as parents just coming to watch us play.”
Former Centaur football and baseball star and now assistant baseball coach DeVaughn Wallace thinks the 2016 Culver City baseball team is on a mission. “We believe,” said Wallace. “We come out every day and do the little things that make a difference. These players pay attention to detail to get the job done. This is a special group of players. For me, it’s special to be here. I love being here.”