The San Dimas pitching staff had lofty goals entering the 2015 season. So lofty, the coaching staff had a tough time taking them seriously.
Collectively, the Saints' arms targeted going an entire season with a sub-1.00 ERA. Yes, a sub-1.00 ERA.
Incredible, yes. Nearly impossible, also.
For the regular season, at least, mission accomplished. Through 28 games, the staff has allowed just 12 earned runs in 191 innings. The ERA? A sparkling 0.44.
"They've stuck to their goals," San Dimas co-head coach Mike Regan said. "Our pitching staff is tremendous."
The lights-out pitching has been a major key among many keys in San Dimas finishing the regular season a perfect 28-0, USA Today's No. 1 team in the nation, and the likely No. 1 seed when the CIF-Southern Section Division 3 playoff pairings are released Monday.
The coaching staff didn't envision an undefeated season or a No. 1 ranking, either. Regan credits the players.
As a team, San Dimas set goals of winning three non-league tournaments. That was accomplished and the wins continued to pile up because the players were locked in and never allowed their focus to waver.
San Dimas finished the season as USA Today's No. 1 team after a 28-0 season.
It was evident in the play of the bench, Regan says.
For the first time there was a system in place where Regan and his staff regularly used pinch hitters. The depth has allowed for it.
The likes of sophomore Joe Millwee, junior Tommy Acuna, and senior David Vargas have made the most of their opportunities.
"They're looking forward to that one at-bat per game," Regan said. "They know their roles so it keeps them going because sometimes you have teams where there's kids that don't play at all and your starting nine just plays.
"Having roles for kids has really kept kids focused because they keep working knowing that they're going to have an opportunity in the game so they don't want to mail it in."
Milwee and Acuna, the team's leading hitter carrying a .526 batting average on the season, have found their way into the starting lineup as a result of injury.
Acuna was the hero in win No. 28 -- 3-2 defeat of Hacienda Heights Wilson in the Valle Vista League finale -- with a go-ahead three-run home run. The round tripper was just the second homer of the season for the team.
"We're not a power team," Regan said. "The small ball, that's what got us where we're at."
28-0 isn't a bad place to be.
