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Costa Mesa baseball moves into first place with win over Fullerton

April 25, 2026

The Costa Mesa baseball team poses for a selfie after a victory over Fullerton, 6-1, in an Empire League game Friday, April 24, 2026. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)

COSTA MESA — Fine pitching and timely hitting mixed in with some power was the formula for success for the Costa Mesa baseball team in a 6-1 victory over Fullerton in the Empire League on Friday at Costa Mesa High School.

The Mustangs (17-6, 7-3), who were a half-game behind Fullerton (14-8, 6-3) in the standings prior to the game, move into first place, a half-game ahead of the Indians.

If the Mustangs win their two remaining league games against Katella and Laguna Hills, they will clinch at least a tie for first, depending on what the Indians do in their remaining three games.

The Indians won two of three league games against the Mustangs.

“It’s important for the standings,” Costa Mesa coach Jim Kiefer said. “They did beat us with their best guy (Declan Fitzgerald) both times and he is really good. And we were close but today is a game where we had a response and we really played our best and did well. We needed to.”

An RBI single from Luke Hobbis followed by a sacrifice fly from Will Morales, the starting pitcher, gave the Mustangs a 2-0 lead in the first inning.

Felix Tiquia hit a solo home in the fourth on a no-ball, two-strike count and Ben Quintero hit a solo homer in the sixth to give the Mustangs a 4-1.

Tiquia added a two-run single in the sixth.

The senior first baseman went 2 for 2 with three RBIs and two runs scored.

“I thought it was going to be a hustle double,” Tiquia said of his home run. “With two strikes, I’m just trying to get the bat on the ball. I was really honestly surprised when it went out. It was my first (home run).”

Costa Mesa's Ben Quintero, left, and Felix Tiquia each a hit solo home run in the Mustangs' 6-1 victory over Fullerton in the Empire League on Friday, April 24, 2026. (Photo by Lou Ponsi) — Costa Mesa’s Ben Quintero, left, and Felix Tiquia each a hit solo home run in the Mustangs’ 6-1 victory over Fullerton in the Empire League on Friday, April 24, 2026. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)

Starting pitcher Will Morales picked up the victory. He allowed one run on two hits with two strikeouts and two walks over five innings.

The run allowed by Morales came on a ground out in the third inning.

Morales stranded a runner on third in that inning.

In the fifth, the Indians had a runner on third with one out when Morales retired the next two hitters on a ground out to first and a pop up to short.

The senior right-hander gave up a two-out single in the fifth but that runner was thrown out trying to steal second.

“I felt good out there on the mound,” Morales said. “Everyone was making the plays they needed to make.”

Costa Mesa's Wylan Rottschaefer, left, and Will Morales shared the pitching duties in the Mustangs' 6-1 victory over Fullerton in the Empire League on Friday, April 24, 2026. (Photo by Lou Ponsi) — Costa Mesa’s Wylan Rottschaefer, left, and Will Morales shared the pitching duties in the Mustangs’ 6-1 victory over Fullerton in the Empire League on Friday, April 24, 2026. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)

Wylan Rottschafer came in to pitch the final two innings for the Mustangs.

“I wanted to keep going but he hardly every gives up a run,” Morales said of Rottschafer. “When he goes out there, there is a lot of confidence.”

Costa Mesa baseball moves into first place with win over Fullerton Orange County Register

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Costa Mesa baseball moves into first place with win over Fullerton

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