Jackson Lyons' Granada Hills High jersey was covered in dirt after sliding head first in the fifth inning after the Highlanders took the lead with a two-run triple against Birmingham on Thursday.
“We've been working hard for that moment,” he said. “That slide had it all.”
Granada Hills' three-run fifth inning gave the Highlanders a 4-2 victory, clinching their fourth straight West Valley League championship and advancing to the City Section Open Division playoffs, where Saturday's brackets will be announced. It is likely to be the No. 1 seed. Birmingham (12-3) lost its last three league games and finished in second place.
Birmingham had a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a wild pitch and a ground out. Juan Tirado hit a home run in the third inning for Granada Hills (13-2). The Highlanders then hit a clutch triple into the Lions' right field seats, followed by an RBI single from Jack Donohoe. Colin Azoi pitched two scoreless innings.
Granada Hills pitchers Easton Hawk, Alex Schmidt, and Azoy performed well and won the league title. The Highlanders finished the regular season with Thursday's wins, including a 5-0 win over Cleveland and a 2-0 win over Birmingham.
Now they have to find a way to do better in the playoffs. They have yet to visit Dodger Stadium in the past three seasons. The Lions know what to do with a dirty shirt.
“If I get to Dodger Stadium, this shirt will be stained, so I'll be wearing a shield,” he said.
Birmingham is back where they want to be, playing the role of underdogs. In 18 years under coach Matt Mowry, the Patriots never won a league title but won five city titles. The hope is that these two schools can meet again on May 25th at Dodger Stadium. However, Birmingham has some issues with pitching as they lost their number two pitcher to an injury to his arm. The Open Division playoffs begin Tuesday, with the top four seeds receiving first-round byes.
Cleveland 3, Taft 0: Joshua Perlstein had a two-hit shutout victory. In the West Valley League, Taft finished third, El Camino Real fourth and Cleveland fifth.
soft ball
Garden Grove Pacifica 13, Oaks Christian 2: For Pacifica, Kaniya Bragg had four hits and five RBIs, and Bryn Nalley allowed two runs in six innings. Bragg hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning. Pacifica will play Jay Sera in the Division 1 semifinals on Saturday.
Orange Lutheran 7, Anaheim Canyon 4: Orange Lutheran, led by Zara Mineo with three RBIs and Olivia Oscorus with three hits, will face Murrieta Mesa in the semifinals. At Canyon, Sam Gresham hit a three-run home run.
J Sera 2, Great Oak 0: Abby Ford led J.Serra with 13 strikeouts and one walk. Angelina Jimenez hit a solo home run for the Lions.
Murrieta Mesa 12, Huntington Beach 0: Lily Hauser had five RBIs and Murrieta Mesa had 12 strikeouts and allowed one hit.
