The first varsity start for any pitcher is a big deal. Jorge Rodriguez, however, made his first starting appearance a really big deal. He twirled a 6-0 no-hit victory for Mission Bay High against Canyon Crest on April 23. “He pitched phenomenal. The big thing was, he didn’t walk too many people. He got ahead in the count and had a few strikeouts,” said MBHS assistant coach Dan Pamaran. “It was one of those things where he was just zipping along.” The Bucs went on to sweep a double header from the Ravens with a come-from-behind 9-6 win later in the afternoon. The reason Rodriguez —who normally plays outfield — got the start was because of the team’s recent relentless schedule, coupled with injuries on the pitching staff. Rodriguez’s no-hitter could now give this team a good spark. Before its recent turnaround, the Bucs went on a seven-game losing streak from March 29 through April 14. Bouncing back to win four of their next five games since snapping the losing streak — beginning with a 5-0 victory over Arbor View — the team appears to be regaining some confidence. “We’ve just got to play more energetic, play to win, because we had our heads down and everything was going wrong. Now, we’re playing as a team finally,” said starting third baseman Sam Egoual. “Before, we weren’t together. Now everything is clicking. We’re going to go on a hot tear.” Getting his first extensive playing time at the varsity level this season, Egoual has surprised and impressed his head coach. “Last year, I got my chance and I bobbled a few balls on defense. I made it my goal through the summer to work hard so I could win that spot at third base with ease,” Egoual said. “I didn’t think he knew what I could do and I wanted to prove to everyone out here what I had inside of me.” A solid right-handed hitting junior, Egoual has provided some consistency to a lineup that has faced its share of struggles. Now he routinely finds himself hitting third or fourth in the order. “This is his first year at the varsity level, but he’s getting better every day,” said head coach Greg Farrar. The big offensive threat on the squad is first baseman Robert Phiakeo. The senior, who has easily been the most productive and feared hitter for MBHS in 2011, uses a simple approach to the game. “Just driving in runs, trying to get as many runs as possible and try to win the game,” he said. Senior second baseman Harvey Bersalona, junior right fielder Sergio Becerra and Anthony Torrescano round out the top batters on the team. On the pitching staff, Rodriguez is joined by junior Alejandro Zavalas (who also starts at shortstop), Jay Pryor, Gabe Aranda and senior left-hander Ryan Vaickus. Leslie Cabiling started out the season as the Bucs’ but elbow tendonitis has forced him to miss an extended period of time. “I’m on the DL (disabled list) but I’m trying to get back there and get my hitting going,” said Cabiling, who also plays outfield. Senior Ernesto Zavalas, Alejandro’s older brother, holds down catching duties. With nothing but league games left on the regular season schedule, MBHS could be hitting its stride at the right time. “We really picked it up last year in the playoffs,” Farrar said. “We need to get better the second half of league play and make a push into the playoffs.” MBHS BASEBALL REMAINING SCHEDULE Date Time Opponent Location April 28 3 p.m. University City MBHS May 3 3 p.m. University City UCHS May 5 3 p.m. Cathedral Catholic MBHS May 9 3 p.m. Cathedral Catholic CCHS May 10 3 p.m. Coronado CHS May 12 3 p.m. Coronado MBHS