There was drama, clutch hitting and a little bit luck in Friday’s Southern Part Division 1 quarterfinal playoff sport between Crespi and Mira Costa.
“Sometimes it’s better to be lucky,” Crespi coach Mike Glendenning mentioned.
The sport ended within the backside of the ninth with a Nate Lopez pop fly falling in left subject as Mira Costa’s shortstop, left fielder and heart fielder tried to catch it. It scored the successful run within the Celts’ 3-2 victory.
Lucas Schermer of Mira Costa hits a two-run residence run with two outs and two strikes within the sixth inning to take 2-1 lead over Crespi. pic.twitter.com/vGGKQyPptU
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) Could 23, 2025
What a sport it was. Tyler Walton was cruising together with a one-hitter and a 1-0 lead within the high of the sixth inning for Crespi. With one swing, Lucas Schermer of Mira Costa despatched an 89 mph fastball far over the left-field wall to present the Mustangs a 2-1 lead. Crespi followers have been surprised and abruptly silent.
Simply earlier than Crespi gamers went to hit within the backside of the seventh, catcher Landon Hodge gathered his teammates within the dugout and reminded them to belief each other.
“We’ve been here before and came through,” he mentioned.
Gavin Huff of Crespi hit the game-tying residence run within the backside of the seventh. It hit the foul pole. Crespi received 3-2 within the ninth. pic.twitter.com/M5TaEHXTFU
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) Could 24, 2025
Up got here Gavin Huff, one among 11 seniors set to graduate Friday evening. He hit a ball to left subject into the wind down the road. It carried to the foul pole, struck it, then caromed again onto the sphere. The umpires signaled residence run to tie the sport.
Mira Costa junior pitcher Garrett Jacobs was magnificent, placing out six in seven innings. Hodge completed with three hits for Crespi (24-2). Diego Velazquez threw three scoreless innings of reduction. Mira Costa (28-3) had its 26-game successful streak come to an finish. Crespi superior to Tuesday’s semifinals in opposition to host Santa Margarita.
Gavin Huff of Crespi will get hug in dugout after his game-tying residence run within the backside of the seventh.
(Craig Weston)
Afterward, Crespi’s seniors have been hustled into two vans and pushed from Hartunian Area to the Celts’ Encino campus to bathe, change and take part in commencement ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. Hodge’s uniform, arms and arms have been so lined in grime from three hours of catching, sliding and hitting that he may need wanted a automotive wash to make it to commencement.
Extra drama occurred at Villa Park, the place Trinity League champion St. John Bosco pulled out a 4-3 win in 9 innings. Jaden Jefferson had an RBI double within the high of the ninth. However the huge second was the underside of the seventh, when Villa Park got here again from a 3-1 deficit to tie the sport and had the successful run on third with two outs. Jack Champlin got here out of the bullpen to report a strikeout for the Braves.
High-seeded Corona acquired a leadoff residence run from Anthony Murphy, his eleventh of the season, and relied on a one-hitter from Ethin Bingaman to get previous Norco 2-0. Norco freshman pitcher Jordan Ayala impressed together with his efficiency. It will likely be Corona at St. John Bosco within the semifinals on Tuesday.
Santa Margarita obtained a walk-off single within the backside of the seventh from Warren Gravely IV to defeat Los Alamitos 5-4. Earlier than that, Los Alamitos tied the sport on a Sutton Deninno residence run within the seventh.
Division 2
West Ranch 10, Sultana 0: Hunter Manning threw a no-hitter and struck out eight to maneuver West Ranch into the Division 2 semifinals. It was the second no-hitter this week by West Ranch pitchers. Nolan Stoll and Mikey Murr hit residence runs.
Etiwanda 8, Servite 3: Derick Kim had two hits and 4 RBIs and LJ Roellig and Josh Adams hit residence runs to ship the Eagles into the Division 2 semifinals.
Fountain Valley 5, Torrance 2: Logan Hunt threw 5 scoreless innings whereas permitting one hit for Fountain Valley.
Mater Dei 2, Foothill 0: Brandon Thomas struck out 13 with no walks for the Monarchs, his second shutout of the Division 2 playoffs. Gavin Lauridsen struck out 9 for Foothill.
Metropolis Part
College 8, Jefferson 1: Evan Han had two hits and two RBIs within the Metropolis Part Division III championship sport.
