From Top Clockwise: Brennen Mace, Ethan Patrick, Zane Lindeman, Landon Smith, Zane Lindeman By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor We’re really hoping not to jinx (by mentioning) the possibility of having an all-Pasadena final in the CIF-SS Division 3 playoffs. But the La Salle and Maranatha baseball programs are both one win Tuesday from facing off […]
From Top Clockwise: Brennen Mace, Ethan Patrick, Zane Lindeman, Landon Smith, Zane Lindeman
By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor
We’re really hoping not to jinx (by mentioning) the possibility of having an all-Pasadena final in the CIF-SS Division 3 playoffs.
But the La Salle and Maranatha baseball programs are both one win Tuesday from facing off for the D3 championship.
Neither side would openly discuss that possibility yet, nor should they.
The Minutemen and Lancers are solely focused on their semifinal match ups today (Tuesday).
Maranatha will make a 64-mile bus (or van) ride to Redlands and La Salle will host Long Beach Wilson at the Arcadia County Park.
First pitch for both games is set for 3:15.
From Top Clockwise: Dawson Netz, Max Blessinger, Ethan Firestone, Marco Martinez
Maranatha (25-4) is battle tested and ready for their trip to Redlands.
In spite of the enormous pressure and drama surrounding a road game and a potential spot in the D3 title game, the Minutemen are both talented and mature enough as a group to not let the surroundings or factors that are out of their control to phase them.
MHS is currently on an 18-game win streak and the top seed in D3 looks more confident, polished and ready than perhaps a season ago when they bowed out in the quarterfinal round against a team (Victor Valley) that couldn’t really match their skill set.
Maranatha would certainly be considered the favorite Tuesday, especially considering the way they’re playing and the fact that they are the No. 1 seed and haven’t lost a game since April 5.
Baseball, though, is arguably the most unpredictable sport in high school athletics, even when considering records and talent.
There are many examples to show just how dicey the CIF playoffs can be in baseball, and perhaps none better than Harvard-Westlake.
The Wolverines were 26-3 and entered the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs as the top seed and had won 16 in a row, but Harvard-Westlake fell at home in the first round against a Valencia team that was 15-17 on the season.
Having said all that, no Division 3 team is more balanced one through nine in their order than is Maranatha, and certainly no one can match what Dawson Netz has done this year on the mound.
The star junior is 10-0 with a 0.30 ERA and he’s thrown two no-hitters and recently went 59 consecutive innings without allowing a run.
While we’re not quite sure how they’ll approach what could be two more games, it seems that MHS is set on getting through this week by committee.
The pitching staff, which includes six guys with at least 16 innings or more on the mound, had won eight consecutive games via shutout between April 24-May 8.
MHS will need to be on top of their game when they travel to Redlands (24-7).
The Terriers are on a five-game win streak, including a 2-1 victory over San
Juan Hills just to earn a spot in the D3 main draw.
Their pitching staff has a team ERA of 1.40 and they’ve allowed just 42 earned runs all season.
Marcus Zofrea (11-1, 0.74 ERA, 25 walks, 68 strikeouts), and Justin Schubert (7-2, 1.03 ERA, 19 walks and 68 strikeouts) are the Terriers top two pitchers.
Redlands has scored 169 runs this season and they’re led offensively by sophomore Justin Schubert, who is batting .394, with 23 runs, 15 RBIs, seven doubles and six triples.
Maranatha began this 18-game ride back on April 6 in Florida and have outscored their three opponents in the playoffs by a margin of 25-7.
The Minutemen offense is spearheaded by junior Max Blessinger and senior Marco Martinez, who are arguably two of the best three hitters in the area (along with La Salle’s Ethan Patrick).
Max Blessinger is batting .480, with 47 hits, 36 runs, 22 RBIs and 12 doubles.
Marco Martinez, a USC commit, is batting 438, with 32 hits, 17 runs and 28 RBIs.
But they also have a strong supporting cast, including Brock Vradenburg:(319, 23 hits, 9 runs, 18 RBI), Sal Tabullo (.362, 17 hits, 16 runs, 17 RBIs), Casey Popham (.362, 17 hits, 13 runs, 15 RBIs, Dawson Netz (..339, 20 hits, 16 runs, 14 RBI) and Ben Guess, who is hitting .321, with 17 hits, 19 runs and 6 runs batter in.
Along with Netz, the MHS pitching staff consists of Will Downing (3-0, 0.23 ERA, 7 walks, 31 strikeouts), Charles Acker (3-1, 3.00 ERA, 11 walks, 18 strikeouts) and Max Blessinger (4-0, 1.75, 7 walks, 16 strikeouts).
If Maranatha gets a solid and substantial (innings) outing from any of the three, their chances of winning a championship skyrockets.
One of MHS’ unsung heroes this season is sophomore catcher Ethan Firestone.
The Notre Dame (of Sherman Oaks) transfer has proven to be the most talented and reliable catcher in the area.
He isn’t tearing the cover off the ball offensively, but his value behind the plate is invaluable.
Firestones’s ability to block balls in the dirt, which allows the MHS pitchers more freedom, as well as throwing out base runners and picking opponents off base deserves a ton of credit.
Firestone has played an enormous role, especially in close games.
La Salle (17-10), which should come as no surprise for any semifinalist, has seen their pitching staff take their game to the next level in terms of their effectiveness and longevity in games.
In each of the three (playoff) wins, Zane Lindeman (twice) and Landon Smith have gone the distance on the mound, including shut outs by both seniors.
And while Landon Smith will get the ball today, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if first-year coach Eddie McKiernan called on Lindeman to close out the game, if needed Tuesday when they host Long Beach Wilson.
Jeff Daley, (4-2, 3 saves, 2.05 ERA) who hasn’t seen any action in the playoffs, because of the three complete games by the starters, will be ready and able.
The brainy senior has has been effective in closing out games all season for the Lancers.
They’re facing a Bruins’ offense that is averaging six runs per game and a pitching staff that just saw three pitchers combine on a no-hitter in Friday’s 4-2 victory at Bellflower.
In that game, however, the Bruins did walk eight batters, while striking out three.
Wilson (21-11-1) has been a southern section power program since 18- year coach Andy Hall took the reigns.
Hall led Wilson to a 2007 CIF-SS Division 1 and National Championship and the Bruins were the runner up in 2008 on a team that featured MLB player Aaron Hicks, as well as Zach Wilson, who plays pro ball.
Ryan Guerrero (.360, 36 hits, 20 runs, 26 RBIs, 6 doubles), Alex Seguine .(314, 33 hits, 29 runs, 15 RBIs, 8 doubles), Crixtean Taveras (.326, 31 hits, 20 runs, 17 RBIs, 5 doubles), Nolan Ornelas (.383, 31 hits, 18 runs, 14 RBIs, 8 doubles) and Kyle Clothier (330, 31 hits, 19 runs, 21 RBIs, 4 doubles) pace the Wilson offense.
Nick Endres (4-0, 2.92 ERA), Aiden Alaniz (2 saves, 1.58 ERA), Ryan Pettway (1-1, 1.57 ERA) and Ryan Turner (2-1, 3.09 ERA) have seen the most action on the mound for the Bruins.
As mentioned, Landon Smith will get the ball to start Tuesday, and he’s coming off a 1-0, two-hit shutout over Temecula Valley last Tuesday.
His story is pretty remarkable, considering most pitchers of his stature don’t have to wait until their senior season to get their chance.
Smith (5-1, 1.73 ERA) has made the most of it, though, as he didn’t walk a batter and struck out three to earn the second-round victory.
The 6-foot-1 right hander has allowed just 12 earned runs all season and is among the area’s leaders with 57 strikeouts.
La Salle’s offense is coming around and they’ve been led all season by a pair of seniors.
Shortstop Ethan Patrick (445, 43 hits) and Brennen Mace (430, 28 hits) have carried much of the weight for the Lancers.
But Mark Daley (340, 28 hits) and Henry Kavanaugh (325, 25) have upped their production late in the season and pose an additional threat for any opponent.
In two (Charter Oak, Temescal Canyon) of the Lancers’ three postseason victories, the La Salle offense has struck early for a combined nine first-inning runs.
Quotable:
La Salle coach Eddie McKiernan: “We just have to continue to play fundamental baseball to give ourselves the best chance of winning. The boys are playing very hard and playing for each other. I am very proud of them for all they have done.”
Maranatha second baseman Max Blessinger: “We’re all loose and know we each need to do our jobs. We also need to pitch well.”
La Salle pitcher Landon Smith: “I’m taking it one pitch at a time and will be focused on executing that pitch. I want to establish the inside fastball, and my work my way in and out of the zone. My intentions are to go as hard as I can for as long as I can. I just want to pound the mitt and trust my defense to make plays behind me. We’re loose, but ready to go. We have a lot of confidence in the way we’re playing right now.”
2018 Division 3 CIF-SS Playoff Scores:
Wild Card:
May 16: Redlands 2, San Juan Hills 1 (Wild Card Game)
First Round:
May 18: Maranatha 10, Palos Verdes 2
May 18: Redlands 2, Crean Lutheran 0
May 18: La Salle 5, Charter Oak 3
May 18: Wilson 6, Katella 0
Second Round:
May 22: Maranatha 4, Grace Brethren 3
May 22: Redlands 10, Ocean View 6
May 22: La Salle 1, Temecula Valley 0
May 22: Wilson 5, Arcadia 4
Quarterfinal Round:
May 24: La Salle 6, Temescal Canyon 0
May 25: Maranatha 11, Arlington 2
May 25: Redlands 6, San Dimas 0
May 25: Wilson 4, Bellflower 2
May 29 (Semifinals):
Maranatha (25-4) at Redlands (24-7) at 3:15
LB Wilson (21-11-1) vs La Salle (17-10) at Arcadia County Park at 3:15
By the Numbers:
Team Batting Average:
Maranatha (.341)
Wilson (.304)
La Salle (.296)
Redlands (.283)
Team ERA:
Maranatha (1.29)
Redlands (1.40)
La Salle (1.96)
Wilson (2.16)
League Finish:
Maranatha (12-0), won Olympic League
Wilson (9-3), tied for second in Moore League
La Salle (8-4), second in Del Rey League
Redlands (9-5), third in Citrus Belt League
Current Win Streak:
Maranatha: 18
La Salle 7
Redlands: 5
Wilson: 4
Runs Scored & Allowed:
Maranatha: 211 (scored)- 54 (allowed)
Wilson: 186-105
Redlands: 169-56
La Salle: 116-70
Final CIF Division 3 Poll (May 14):
1- Maranatha
2- Arcadia
3- Temecula Valley
4- San Dimas
5- Garden Grove Pacifica
6- Redlands
7- Fullerton
8- Cantwell-Sacred Heart
9- Rancho Cucamonga
10- San Luis Obispo
