Friars Beat Westminster to Clinch Share of Title

The final out had been recorded in Servite’s 4-3 victory over Westminster Friday, and Lions Coach Jim Doyle sagged against the fence behind of home plate.

“I swear, everything went their way today,” Doyle said. “Everything.”

The Friars (17-7, 10-3) clinched a share of the Golden West League title with the victory. And they did have their share of good fortune in getting their second consecutive victory against the Lions this week.

Starter Jim Munroe (6-1), who was pitching despite a twisted right ankle, gutted out 5 2/3 innings against Westminster, which scored only two runs on him despite getting 12 hits--three each by Alex Vasquez and Chris Gonzales.

One run came on Vasquez’s steal of home in the fifth, one of five stolen bases he had in the game. He has 37 this season.

“[Munroe] could barely walk out there,” Servite Coach Tom Tereschuk said. “He showed real guts.”

The Friars got 11 hits off Westminster starter George Torres (4-3). Marty Hayes had three, including his first home run in the fifth that gave Servite a 3-1 lead.

It was the first home run hit out of Westminster’s field since Marc Newfield of Marina hit one in 1990. “Most of the time we were trying to go that way,” Hayes said. “The wind was blowing that way, and everyone was trying to stay back on the ball because [Torres] wasn’t throwing anything but breaking stuff.”

The Lions (14-8, 7-6) hit three doubles and a triple off Munroe, but two were ground-rule doubles that cost Westminster runs.

Two Westminster runners were caught stealing and another was picked off. One runner was trapped off second when Dan Olsen lined into a double play. And Westminster stranded eight runners.

In another Golden West League game:

Tustin 4, Santa Ana 0--Greg Garcia pitched a no-hitter with five strikeouts and Rudy Aguilera homered for Tustin (14-9, 8-5) at Windrow Park.