When it comes to League play, the goal is to win a series. Sure, sweeps are nice and can give a team a bit more breathing room, but at the end of the day, getting two of three from any League opponent will work just fine.

The Islanders’ baseball program did just that for a second consecutive week, taking two of three from Madison High School, pushing their league record to 4-2 and 15-7 overall.

“It was nice to see guys show up in a big series,” said Islanders Manager Morgan Cummins. “They were getting all the headlines, so we felt like we had something to prove. Shows we can compete with anyone on any given day.”

After claiming game one of the series 4-0, Coronado hit the road for game two at Madison High School. Coming into last Tuesday’s game, the Madison War Hawks had lost only once on their home field this season. That number jumped to two after the Islanders’ 2-0 victory.

As they have often been this season, Coronado was again led by their starting pitching. Cummins handed the ball to senior Taylor Werth for the critical Eastern League matchup. The big right-hander responded by twirling a game, working seven innings and allowing zero runs on four hits, one walk, and striking out six.

Werth’s fastball continued to flash excellent ride through the zone, making it difficult for hitters to not only catch up to but barrel for quality contact. His slider also showed excellent tilt and depth for the entirety of his start.

Behind him, the Islanders’ defense backed up their starter by flashing the leather all afternoon. First baseman Noah Pierre made a handful of particularly nice plays, including an excellent play to his left with runners on first and second, ending the inning and preventing a run from scoring.

“Taylor is a fierce competitor. He got better in the bigger moments of the game and showed great determination to finish it off.”

At the dish, Coronado did just enough to back their starting pitcher. The big knocks of the day would both belong to Johnny Nelson. In the top of the fifth, the Islanders’ catcher pushed across the game’s first run by pulling a 2-2 breaking ball down the left field line, scoring Patch Moore, and giving Coronado the 1-0 lead.

Then, in the top of the seventh, Nelson provided an insurance run with an RBI fielder’s choice, scoring Jake Nelson from third.

Now, following the series-clinching win over Madison, Coronado has hit a slight speed bump. They have dropped their last two games, including an extra-inning loss against Mira Mesa on Monday by the final of 2-1, moving their league record to 4-3.

All told, it was just sort of an odd game against the Marauders. Despite scoring only one run, the Islanders outhit Mira Mesa eight to four and barreled the ball far more often than Mira Mesa. Meanwhile, on the bump, Mateo Villanueva was brilliant, working into the extra innings and posting a final line of 7.2 innings, allowing two runs on four hits, two walks, and seven strikeouts.

“Baseball is a brutal game at times. I thought we were trying to do the right thing, but weren’t getting the results. Mira Mesa is a tough field to score runs because the ball doesn’t carry. I think we barreled some balls that would have been extra bases at other fields,” noted Cummins. “Mateo threw a fantastic game. He deserved better than the outcome, but showed tremendous competitiveness to take the ball in extra innings and fight for a chance to win a game.”

Coronado will return to action this week, hoping to capture the two final games of the series. Game one will be played on Tuesday, April 29th, while the final game of the series will be played on May 1st.