San Bruno still first in Colt League race

With the sweep, San Bruno officially clinched a postseason spot. Now, the Orioles are gunning for a league championship and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The top six teams of the eight-team league qualify for the single-elimination postseason format.

“This year, based on the way we’ve been playing, I think we’ll be OK,” Orioles manager Mike Tursi said.

In his first year at the helm of the 16-and-under squad, Tursi has enjoyed a spoil of riches, a majority of which composed the Capuchino junior-varsity team in the spring. The Orioles are looking to ride the depth of talent back to the Colt League regional playoffs — the third tier of the postseason, following league and sectional play — which they fell short of last season.

“It’s a very balanced team in my opinion,” Tursi said. “I have 18 kids on my roster and I utilize all of them when I feel necessary. I run it like a high school program. … It’s summer, so it’s time for everyone to have fun and learn. But it’s also time for kids to get ready for next year.”

Pellegrini’s recent success only adds to the depth. The right-handed pitcher made his summer debut Saturday, June 2 after being shut down midway through Cap’s junior-varsity season.

“He actually just came back two weeks ago … and all the kid does is throw strikes, force contact,” Tursi said.

Pellegrini has quickly made a case as the ace of the staff, posting a 2-0 record through two starts. He opened with a five-inning, mercy-rule shutout in his season debut against South City. Then, Saturday against PenCities, he allowed one run through five innings.

“It’s good to have ace in the back pocket,” Tursi said.

Pellegrini adds to the depth of an already solid rotation. Oliver Otake emerged from the bullpen in Saturday’s opener, firing two shutout innings to earn a save. Then after Meyer dealt for five innings to earn the win in the nightcap, Conor Meehan closed it out with two innings of relief.

“I can’t complain,” Tursi said. “I have eight live arms.”

San Bruno’s offense has averaged nearly 7 1/2 runs per game this season, including scoring in double-digits in six games. Saturday’s nightcap was the latest outburst, with the Orioles rallying for four runs in the first inning. Tyler Firpo led off the game with a double, Patrick Volkman followed with a single, Josh Garcia — after logging two RBI singles in the previous game — tripled home two runs, and cleanup hitter Jack Peterson doubled.

Peterson, out of Serra, is one of the few non-Capuchino players on the roster. He has batted in the cleanup spot all summer long.

“Jack has been my catalyst pretty much all year,” Tursi said. “It’s always nice to have a kid that can drive in runs. … He’s the team MVP at this point.”

Peterson’s versatility has proven valuable as well, as he has played second base, third base and both corner outfield spots.

Meyer has been the primary third baseman, though, and has shined on defense, according to Tursi. In last Thursday’s 2-1 victory over South City, Meyer made four key plays at the hot corner, including to backhanded gems going to his right, one of which was a diving play.

Tursi said he’s been so impressed with Meyer’s play, it is reminiscent of recent Capuchino graduate Trey Zahursky, who earned a Division I scholarship to play at University of Nevada-Reno next season.

“He has baseball knowledge that you can’t teach,” Tursi said. “I’ve been coaching Trey the last three years. And he reminds me a lot of Trey.”

San Bruno is in first place in the Peninsula Colt League, but is even in the loss column with the second-place Redwood City Ravens (8-1), who are slated to play six games over the final six games of the regular season. The league title could come down to the final day of the season when the Orioles and Ravens rematch. The Ravens handed the Orioles their only loss of the season 4-0 on May 21.