Touching all the bases

JERRY BARTOW'S MAGICAL CAREER now has a fairy tale ending shaping up. Southwestern College's baseball team has accomplished the unthinkable by winning 22 of its 24 league games and 32 overall, the best record in Bartow's storied career. The legendary coach, who has hinted that he will retire after the season, needs just one more thing for a Hollywood finale - a state championship.

No scriptwriter would dare pen a tale like the Jaguars' 2008 odyssey.

Picked to finish in the middle of the pack at the beginning of the season, SWC had endured a massive turnover of players and had a huge question mark with its brand new pitching staff. But the Jags gelled quickly into a team with potent hitting, flashy defense and stellar pitching. Not to mention the Pacific Coast Conference's cagiest head coach.

After a 3-2 win against San Diego City College, the Jaguars clinched first place in the PCC with a stunning 20-2 league record and secured home field advantage through the first round of the playoffs. Overall, SWC has ran up a rarely achieved 32-10 season.

City College struck early, scoring a run in the second then held SWC scoreless through 6 2/3 innings until Jaguars leadoff man Edgar Molina singled.

Two passed balls allowed Molina to reach third.

With two outs, SWC catcher Taylor Comfort hit a pop up to Knights first baseman Chase Sanders, who dropped the ball, allowing Molina to tie the game at one apiece.

With the game still tied in the eighth, Jaguars third baseman Adrian Bringas sealed the deal with a two-run bomb over the left field fence.

The Jaguars have one more regular season game, including a grudge match against PCC rival Grossmont College. SWC has dominated the third place Griffins (12-12) this season, taking three out of four.

The sun was not the only thing that was hot when the Jaguars recorded their third win against Grossmont on Tuesday. Both teams remained scoreless through four innings until the Jaguars jumped on the board with a five-run fifth inning.

The Griffins fought back scoring six runs in the last three innings but could not top the streaking Jaguars.

Bartow and his staff have their players firing on all cylinders heading down the final stretch.

"Bartow and Jay (Martel) should get most of the credit," said assistant coach Wayne Bradley. "They have done a great job getting the pitching staff squared away."

SWC was riding an 11-game winning streak - one game away from matching its all time season record - and had won 26 out if its last 28 games.

"Our offense one through nine is solid," said shortstop Ken Miramontes. "They are a bunch of roll players."

Ask any pitcher that stands on the hill for the Jaguars and they will all tell you the same thing. When you have a defense as solid as this one, there is little you need to worry about when it's your turn to throw.

"It makes me feel good," said Miramontes. "I want them to have confidence so they can go and pitch."

The Jaguars lead the PCC in team pitching (2.90) and batting (.333) with Stenavich (1.45) leading the way on the mound and Molina (.405) at the plate.

SWC's defense is the best in years, anchored by Miramontes, Bringas and freshman first basemen Molina.

"Molina is one of the best first basemen I have ever had," said Bartow. "He is great around the bag."

On offense seven out of nine starters are batting over .300 this season. Bringas, Molina and designated hitter Ryan Ferris have given opposing pitchers nightmares combining for 87 hits, 80 RBI and 16 home runs in 21 games.

Pitching has been essential to the Jaguars success. Starters averaged a amazing 2.33 ERA, combined for 70 strikeouts, 114.3 innings pitched and a record of 14-2.

Key to the Jaguars success is the ability to jump out early on teams and let their pitching staff take care of the rest.

SWC has outscored their opponents by astonishing 148 runs in 31 games this season.

Their season is far from over and it's an uphill battle from here. It doesn't matter what your record was in the regular season because every team starts fresh in the playoffs.

But SWC has pitching, hitting and defense enough to challenge for a state title. And maybe just a touch of Bartow magic.