Garcia, Smith Help Lead Neptune Beach to CCL Title
August 05, 2015 | Baseball
Orlando Garcia (pictured above) and teammate Stephen Smith were both named to the all-tournament team last weekend after helping lead the Neptune Beach Pearl to the California Collegiate League title.
Aug. 5, 2015
LUBBOCK, Texas -- Texas Tech sophomore infielder Orlando Garcia and junior outfielder Stephen Smith were both part of the Neptune Beach Pearl squad that captured the California Collegiate League title this past weekend.
Stephen Smith hit a three-run homer to help Neptune Beach to the California Collegiate League title.
With Garcia and Smith both in the lineup, the Pearl defeated the Los Angeles Brewers twice in the championship series, claiming a 7-1 victory in the opener and then a 3-2 walk-off win for the league title.
The two Red Raiders were a major factor in the championship opener with Smith delivering a two-out, three-run homer in the sixth inning while Garcia went 2-for-5 overall with three RBI as well. Smith's home run extended what was a one-run lead for the Pearl in the sixth.
Garcia and Smith both finished 1-for-4 later in the day to help the Pearl overcome a two-run deficit with a run in each of the final three innings. The performance landed the duo on the all-tournament team, making Texas Tech one of just two schools nationally with multiple players represented.
Smith, who was previously named to the CCL All-Star roster in early July, ended the summer hitting .266 overall with a home run and 23 RBI. He appeared in 43 games for the Pearl, totaling eight doubles and 28 walks during that span.
Garcia was frequently in the lineup throughout the summer as he appeared in a team-leading 49 games where he hit .265 overall with 11 doubles, three triples and a home run. His 11 doubles and 29 RBI both ranked second on the team.
The California Collegiate League, which features several of the nation's top players each summer, plays all of its games using wooden bats and professional-level balls.
