McCord brothers lead charge in Del Campo’s baseball blowout win over Del Oro

The Del Campo High School baseball team is finding its groove after starting the season with losses to Ponderosa, Placer and Folsom, not a bad team in the lot.

The Cougars have won three in a row, including an 11-3 dominant win against Del Oro on Tuesday afternoon in Placer County.

Del Campo (3-3) has wins over Oakmont and Vacaville. A credit to the Cougars’ recent success goes to coach Kevin Dawidczik. He also serves as the third base coach and can be heard yelling positive reinforcements to his players throughout the game when he isn’t waving them home.

Dawidczik even lost his voice after the Vacaville game because he yelled so much. He led Del Campo to the 2018 Sac-Joaquin Section Division II championship in earning Bee Coach of the Year honors.

“We had a lot of time off to think about not being able to expel that energy,” he said. “My voice is pretty shot right now. I tell my guys you have to act differently than how you feel, so I have to bring that energy because I expect so much. I have to lead by example.”

His enthusiasm is appreciated by players.

“I love (the energy he brings),” Del Campo junior Logan McCord said. “It gets us all pumped up and ready to go. (Having someone like that) keeps you locked into the game. He gets us ready to go.”

Del Campo 6-foot-5 freshman Jake McKowen started and pitched 2⅓ innings. The Oregon State commit struck out four before exiting after twisting his knee on the mound.

“It’s rare for me to have a guy committed this early because we just really don’t get those guys,” Dawidczik said of big-time prospects. “(Our program) has done a good job of moving guys on to the next level. (I want to) try and make him better for when he gets to the Pac-12.

Ethan Harry and Thomas Martinez were exceptional in relief for Del Campo. Martinez struck out the last batter to end the game. Del Oro’s runs came on two infield errors and a wild pitch.

While Del Oro struggled, the Cougars’ bats were loud. Del Campo led 4-0 at the end of the first and 7-3 at the end of four. The Cougars scored five in the top of the seventh to blow it open. Logan McCord hit a two-run home run to right-center field in the first inning. He had three RBIs. Logan’s twin brother, Luke, had three hits.

“At the dinner table it will probably be pretty fun for them tonight,” Dawidczik said. “They’re extremely competitive with each other. Both of them can’t stop smiling. They love to compete against each other.”

Logan added, “(My brother and I) are pretty competitive. We just like to have fun. I’m having an amazing time (with these guys). I love all of them. They’re my friends. We are all close and we know we can hold each other accountable.”

Matt Moses drove in three and Will Tuter drove in two. Outfielder Jordan Jacobson had a key double. Four-year varsity catcher Joey Adge had a good performance behind the plate, highlighted by throwing a runner out in the first inning.

Del Campo and Del Oro will host games Wednesday. The Cougars will face undefeated Cosumnes Oaks and the Golden Eagles will play Christian Brothers.