Northwood’s baseball team took a major step toward ending Beckman’s reign atop the Pacific Coast League on Friday afternoon.

The Timberwolves rallied with eight runs in the late innings to defeat the four-time defending league champion Patriots, 8-4, in a league showdown at Beckman.

The Timberwolves are trying to win their first league title since 2006, when they shared the crown with Calvary Chapel and Corona del Mar.

“We battled and showed a lot of heart,” Northwood Coach Rob Stuart said. “It was a win for the players. They wanted it and we’re in first place, but we’ve got some work to do. “They definitely earned a chance today to be in that spot, and now we have to go out and work hard.”

Beckman opened a 2-0 lead with a run in each of the first two innings.

But Jack Pabich came on in relief of Northwood starter Brandon Kim in the third inning and quieted the Beckman bats the rest of the way. Pabich (2-0) allowed two unearned runs and struck out five to get the win. “It’s a good team win. There was a lot of hitting, and the defense, when we needed it, pulled through,” Pabich said. “This is definitely a big win because we’re in first place now.”

Trailing 3-0 in the top of the fifth inning, Northwood used RBI singles from Kevin Okuda and James Clothier, and an RBI groundout from Ojo Weiss to tie it.

The Timberwolves then broke the game open with five runs in the top of the sixth inning. James Carrig drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, Okuda had another RBI single, Weiss added a two-run single and Clothier had an RBI double to make it 8-3.

Torin Goldstein went 2 for 4 with an RBI, and Michael Fuchs went 2 for 4 with two runs scored to lead Beckman.

“They played really well, and they deserved to win,” said Beckman Coach Kevin Lavalle. “We didn’t do anything wrong, really. They got their hits when they needed them, and we didn’t, especially late in the game. They had a real good plan at the plate, and they executed it, and they hit some good pitches.

“We’ve just got to go out and play well and roll the dice a little bit.”


PHOTOS: MIGUEL VASCONCELLOS, FOR THE REGISTER
Northwood’s James Clothier beats the ball to second before Beckman’s Michael Fuchs can make the tag during Friday’s game.