MURRIETA — Jack Kelley was the first to admit he did not have his best stuff Wednesday afternoon.
Bu whatever Kelley might have lacked in command, he made up for with plenty of grit and determination.
Kelley worked out of numerous jams to pick up his fifth win of the season, as the Murrieta Mesa baseball team knocked off Temecula Valley 7-1 to remain undefeated in the Southwestern League.
Murrieta Mesa second baseman Aidan Salcedo #22 and Murrieta Mesa shortstop Carter Garate #3 celebrate the 7-1 victory over Temecula Valley in a Southwestern League baseball game in Murrieta on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Murrieta Mesa starting pitcher Jack Kelley #14 pitches against Temecula Valley during a Southwestern League baseball game in Murrieta on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Temecula Valley catcher Zach Anderson #20 is tagged out by Murrieta Mesa third baseman Colby Moran #8 on suicide squeeze bunt during a Southwestern League baseball game in Murrieta on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Temecula Valley pitcher Ethan Warren #19 pitches against Murrieta Mesa during a Southwestern League baseball game in Murrieta on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Temecula Valley second baseman Gavin Grutzmacher #1 tosses the ball to the mound after tagging out Murrieta Mesa first baseman Caden Byers #20 for the third out of the inning during a Southwestern League baseball game in Murrieta on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Murrieta Mesa shortstop Carter Garate #3 dives safely back into first base before the tag of Temecula Valley first baseman Patrick Carson #17 during a Southwestern League baseball game in Murrieta on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Temecula Valley second baseman Gavin Grutzmacher #1 trips over the second base as Murrieta Mesa outfielder Chase Hunter #9 steals second during a Southwestern League baseball game in Murrieta on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Murrieta Mesa second baseman Aidan Salcedo #22 is unable to handle a Temecula Valley line drive during a Southwestern League baseball game in Murrieta on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Murrieta Mesa Caden Byers #20 is tagged out by Temecula Valley second baseman Gavin Grutzmacher #1 as he is picked off at second during a Southwestern League baseball game in Murrieta on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Murrieta Mesa first baseman Caden Byers #20 and Murrieta Mesa outfielder Derek Hurtado #1 celebrate after scoring against Temecula Valley during a Southwestern League baseball game in Murrieta on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Murrieta Mesa head coach Mike Wolford argues a changed call by the umpires against Temecula Valley during a Southwestern League baseball game in Murrieta on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Murrieta Mesa second baseman Aidan Salcedo #22 is unable to handle the throw as Temecula Valley infielder Christopher Paciolla #7 steals second as Murrieta Mesa shortstop Carter Garate #3 backs up the play during a Southwestern League baseball game in Murrieta on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Murrieta Mesa pitcher Tyler Wolf #5 pitches against Temecula Valley during a Southwestern League baseball game in Murrieta on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Field umpire pushes his sun glasses into position as play starts during a Southwestern League baseball game in Murrieta on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Temecula Valley pitcher Ray Hernandez #18 loses his hat as he pitches against Murrieta Mesa during a Southwestern League baseball game in Murrieta on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Murrieta Mesa pitcher Tyler Wolf #5 pitches against Temecula Valley during a Southwestern League baseball game in Murrieta on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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“I just had to stick to what I do best, and that is getting ground balls,” Kelley said. “I’m not a big strikeout guy, so I have to trust my defense and let them work for me. They did a great job behind me today.”
The biggest ground ball Kelley rolled came in the first inning. Temecula Valley took a 1-0 lead on an infield single by Christopher Paciolla. The Golden Bears had the bases loaded with one out, but Kelley got Patrick Carson to hit into a inning-ending double play to prevent further damage
“He battled and made some big pitches when he needed to,” Murrieta Mesa coach Mike Wolford said.
Missed opportunities was a theme for Temecula Valley. The Golden Bears (8-6, 2-2 in league) left 12 runners on the base paths Wednesday afternoon and had two more runners thrown out between bases.
“We really missed our spots and did not execute well today,” Temecula Valley coach Darric Merrell said.
Murrieta Mesa (14-2, 4-0) did not record a hit against Ethan Warren during the first two innings, but the Rams broke through in the third. Colby Moran singled home the tying run with one out, and Caden Byers later gave Murrieta Mesa the lead with a sacrifice fly that plated Carter Garate.
In the top of the fourth inning, Temecula Valley’s Matthew Tylman put down a safety squeeze, but Zach Anderson strayed too far off the bag. Murrieta Mesa catcher Makana Olaso fired the ball to Moran and nailed Anderson trying to retreat back to third base for the second out of the inning.
Murrieta Mesa opened things up in the bottom of the fourth, aided by two Temecula Valley errors to start the inning. Zachary Casey doubled home a run, and another run scored on a groundout by Garate. Moran singled home a pair of runs, and Byers capped the big inning with a RBI double.
“It took a little while for the bats to get going,” Moran said. “But credit goes to our coaches giving us good tips on what to look for. We put together some good situational hitting today.”
Kelley scattered eight hits, walked three and also hit three batters. He was lifted with one out in the sixth after innings back-to-back walks. Tyler Wolf came in and struck out the next two batters to end the threat.
Pacoilla went 3 for 4 for Temecula Valley, and Darin Chapman had two hits for the Golden Bears.
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