Strong pitching puts Spartans on top Strong pitching puts Spartans on top (March 12, 2004)

Hatasaki finishes with 11 Ks, triple

By Reza Kazempour

Mountain View pitcher Joe Hatasaki took a perfect game into the top of the fourth inning and carried his team to a 6-1 victory over visiting San Mateo on Tuesday.

In six strong innings, Hatasaki recorded 11 strikeouts. The Spartans improved to 2-0 on the season.

"He kept us in the baseball game from the first pitch to the last pitch in the sixth inning," said Spartan coach Jake Schwartzberg

In the top of the fourth, San Mateo loaded up the bases, eliminating the possibility of a perfect game.

"We thought the 5-hole hitter was the best hitter, so we had to pitch around (him) in a first-and-third situation," said Schwartzberg. "We so wanted the next guy, and we got him."

Hatasaki struck out the next batter, Anthony Asp, in three consecutive pitches.

The game's winning pitcher turned out to be a threat at the plate, too. Hatasaki hit the game's only triple in the bottom of the fifth inning off pitcher Daniel Orlick which scored infielder David Lee and gave Mountain View the 2-1 lead.

The Spartans extended its momentum in the bottom of the fifth, adding four more runs to the score. Eric Davis launched a double into the left field, which brought in teammate Joe Tepe, already on base after hitting a double. Davis then advanced to third after Tepe beat the throw to the plate.

In addition to the strong performance on the mound, the Mountain View defense kept any San Mateo attack from further developing. In the top of the fourth, right fielder Cody Garcia gunned a throw to third and picked San Mateo's Brian Eli off on the slide.

"I think we played excellent," said Hatasaki. "We took it pitch by pitch every single time we got out there, and we were all focused."

Mountain View begins its league play at home against Monta Vista on March 11 at 3:30 p.m.

E-mail Reza Kazempour at sports@mv-voice.com

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