Tehachapi Gets 7 Runs in 2nd to Eliminate Montclair Prep

Spectators at the Tehachapi High-Montclair Prep game tried to stay cool Tuesday by crowding into the few shaded areas around the College of the Canyons baseball field. The press box was crammed with people seeking relief from the heat, and there were clusters of fans under nearby trees.

Only one person appeared unaffected.

Before the Small Schools Large Division semifinal game, Montclair Prep starting pitcher Jeff Light was wearing a sweat shirt and a warm-up jacket over his uniform.

“I was trying to stay warm,� Light said. “My arm tightens up quickly.�

After allowing no runs in the first inning, Light’s arm turned stone cold. He surrendered four hits and walked three batters during a seven-run second inning and Tehachapi coasted to a 10-4 win.

Five of the second-inning runs were charged to Light, who was relieved by J.R. Smith with one out. Light said he was tired because he stole a base in the first inning and ran hard on the last out of the inning.

“I kind of lost my breath and couldn’t get it back,� Light said.

Tehachapi had no extra-base hits in the disastrous inning, but did get consecutive singles by Kevin Caudle, Scott Parks and Joe Palmer. Mark Ratekin added a two-run single.

“It’s just a funny game,� Montclair Prep Coach Jeff Pressman said. “Everything went right for them and it just wasn’t our day.�

Tehachapi’s Steve Hunt pitched 6 innings, scattering seven hits and striking out three to raise his record to 7-1.

Montclair Prep fell apart again in the fourth when Tehachapi (21-3) scored three runs on one hit, two walks, one hit batter and two errors to take a 10-0 lead.

“We just didn’t do the fundamentals well today--pitching and fielding,� Light said.

Montclair Prep (22-4) scored twice in the fourth on a solo home run by Light, his 10th, and on a run-scoring single by Wayne Nogosek. Frank Charles hit a two-run home run, also his 10th, in the seventh for Montclair Prep’s final runs.

The loss marked the last game for Pressman, who resigned after 12 years at the school. Pressman is leaving to devote more time to his summer baseball camp in Orange County.

Pressman said he is saddened that his career is over at Montclair Prep, but his first concern is for his players.

“I just feel sorry for our kids,� he said. “I want them to remember the fact we did have a great season. That means nothing to them right now. They’re really upset.�

The player who seemed most affected was senior third baseman P.C. Shaw, who fought back tears as he walked down the third-base line.

“I’ve known Coach Pressman since I was 9,� Shaw said. “I wanted to win the game so badly for him. I dedicated the season to him. Now, it’s like a piece of me broke. You feel all empty.�