If Bishop Amat and Bonita are going to play for CIF–Southern Section baseball titles, they must win games away from the San Gabriel Valley in Tuesday’s semifinals. Bonita, which lost in the finals last season, travels to Beckman for a 3:15 p.m., with the winner advancing to the championship. Bishop Amat has the home game, but because the school’s softball team is also at home, the Lancers have chosen to play their semifinal against Torrance at USC’s Dedeaux Field, which is closer to Torrance than La Puente. Game time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday’s Semifinals Division 3 Bonita at Beckman, 3:15 p.m. Division 4 Torrance vs. Bishop Amat at USC, 6:30 p.m.
PLACENTIA — Bishop Amat High School has had some signature wins in recent years.
Tuesday Bishop Amat got another one.
Wallace Gonzalez went 4 for 4 and had six RBIs and David Berg was solid on the mound in relief to lead Bishop Amat to an 11-3 victory over St. Francis of Mountain View, ranked No. 1 nationally by Baseball America, in the quarterfinals of the National Classic at El Dorado High School.
Bishop Amat improved to 18-2 and will face either Bingham of South Jordan, Utah or El Capitan of Lakeside in today’s semifinals at 4:30 p.m. at Cal State Fullerton. St. Francis, which is also ranked No. 2 nationally by MaxPreps.com, slipped to 20-2.
“Bishop Amat is used to big games,” Bishop Amat coach Andy Nieto said. “That’s why kids come to Bishop Amat. We’re not into moral victories. Like I said last year when we lost. We got outplayed and Torrance beat us.
“We’re into hanging banners and winning championships. Just look into the history books. In the over 50 years of Bishop Amat, there’s a lot of big wins. This is just another one.”
What separated this one from some of the others in recent years, was in the amount of ease Bishop Amat took apart the top-ranked team in the country.
And St. Francis helped Bishop Amat’s cause, committing three errors, all which keyed Bishop Amat rallies.
The first, a dropped throw on a pickoff attempt, allowed Jay Anderson to take third. He then scored for a 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly by Dominique Davis.
Bishop Amat then used two St. Francis’ miscues to go up 6-0 in the third, which was highlighted by a an RBI double by Davis and a two-run single by Gonzalez.
Wallace wasn’t done. He followed with a two-run single to push the advantage to 8-2 in the fifth before hitting a two-run home run in the seventh for an 11-3 lead.
“I just knew I had to stay relaxed at the plate,” Gonzalez said. “I knew our pitchers (starter Daniel Zamora and Berg) were going to do a great job. It didn’t change my approach too much.
“We weren’t worried about the rankings. (Bishop Amat) was ranked No. 2 (nationally) last year, and lost. Rankings mean nothing. It’s a game of baseball, and anything can happen.”
Berg was also impressive after relieving Zamora in the third. He gave up just one run and struck out 10 in five innings to improve to 4-0.
He came to the rescue after St. Francis nearly got back in the game in the third, cutting Bishop Amat’s lead to 6-2 following a two-run home run by Alex Blandino. St. Francis then put runners on first and third before Berg struck out Jon Williams to end the threat.
Berg, then after giving up a run in the sixth, ended it with three strike outs in the seventh.
“This was a simple illustration what baseball is,” Nieto said. “The team that plays the best catch, and puts the ball in play, has the best chance to win.
“I was proud of our guys for taking on the challenge, and not cracking.”
Tuesday’s quarterfinal games
Bishop Amat 11, St. Francis 3
Bingham vs. El Capitan, 7 p.m., Cal State Fullerton
Wednesday’s semifinals
Bishop Amat vs. Bingham-El Capitan winner, 4:30 p.m., Cal State Fullerton
By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer The key to Bishop Amat High School’s chances of winning the Serra League may belong to junior running back Jalen Moore, someone coach Steve Hagerty envisioned leading his backfield long before last year’s starter, Jay Anderson, opted to skip his senior season of football to concentrate on baseball. (To continue, click thread).
More Amat: For those who haven’t seen receiver Wallace Gonzalez, here is a glimpse of what you might see in his Serra debut. Keep in mind, these are his sophomore highlights from Glendora, he’s a senior now.
Moore is averaging 126 yards and has rushed for more than 100 yards in five consecutive games for the undefeated Lancers (6-0), ranked third in the CIF-Southern Section Pac-5 Division poll.
The Lancers face once- beaten Crespi (5-1), winners of five straight, in Friday’s Serra League opener at Kiefer Stadium at 7 p.m. – a huge concern with Celts quarterback Ken Stenhouse averaging 285 yards and coming off back-to- back record performances.
Stenhouse threw for a school record 484 yards in a 45-31 win over Vista Murrieta, then set a school record for touchdown passes, throwing six in a 53-47 win over Taft last week, passing for 364 yards to raise his season total to 1,730 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Safe to say, the longer the Lancers keep Stenhouse off the field, the better chance they have, which makes Moore’s impact so vital.
“I wish we could be that smart,” Hagerty said. “We move the chains by taking what the defense gives us, whether that’s running or throwing it.”
Taft’s Kenny Thompson rushed for 170 yards on 25 carries against Crespi, so challenging the Celts at the line of scrimmage will come often, especially against a team allowing 23 points a contest.
If that’s what they need to do, Hagerty has no problem calling Moore’s number.
“I’ll be honest: I think Jalen might have beat out Anderson as our starting back,” Hagerty said. “That’s no knock on Jay, but even when Jay made the decision not to come back, Jalen had his sights set on winning the starting position. He was working that hard, and I would not have been surprised if he beat out (Jay).
“We might have had to move Jay to receiver, I’m not sure, but sometimes you can tell with kids, and the way Jalen was working, you knew what you were going to get.”
Moore’s production, along with that of backfield mate Zach Shay, has allowed junior quarterback Rio Ruiz to blossom after a slow start.
Ruiz is averaging 166 yards passing with nine touchdowns, though he does have four picks.
“I’m not concerned (with the interceptions),” Hagerty said. “Rio’s different; he’s kind of a gunslinger, he likes to make plays and stuff.
“Sometimes he’s running right and throws left across his body. You don’t like it, but he’s going to be more successful than not.”
It’s a risk Hagerty’s willing to take.
“You live with the results, because I have every reason to believe that the bigger the game, the bigger the performance,” Hagerty said. “I believe that about him.”
Whether the Lancers are ready for the Celts’ athleticism is a different story.
Devin Lucian, a 6-foot-2 receiver, has 12 touchdowns after hauling in six receptions for 188 yards and three touchdowns against Taft.
Chris Harper also is a dangerous threat, plus the Celts have 5-foot-4, 130-pound receiver Michael Davison, who had six receptions and scored twice in their win over Vista Murrieta.
“This is my third season; the first two we faced Long Beach Poly and Lakewood,” Hagerty said.
“Crespi is just as athletic as both of them. That’s the challenge, staying with (receivers) that make plays.”
Amat’s secondary is a concern, but overall, the Lancers’ defense has been solid, allowing just 10 points per game.
“It’s not a great matchup for us – we’re better defending the run than the pass – but you have to defend the pass this week,” Hagerty said. “There’s no way around it. They’re explosive and we have to deal with it.”
Hagerty said one thing is certain, despite Amat’s undefeated start: they’re ready to start league with something to prove.
Amat is undefeated at home since Hagerty took over in 2008, a perfect 14-0 and bring a 15-0 undefeated streak into Kiefer Stadium, having not lost since a 2007 defeat to Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.
“This is what you come to Amat for, to be in games like this,” Hagerty said. “Whether it’s an Angelus, Del Rey or Serra league game, there are five teams in our league, and three make the playoffs. You have to go to work now; our coaching staff and kids understand that.” f
Friday’s resultsBishop Amat 42, Damien 7 – The Lancers were dominant throughout, leading 35-0 at halftime. QB Rio Ruiz had a breakthrough game, throwing for 200 plus yards and two TDs. Rancho Cucamonga 40, Charter Oak 28 – The Cougars have the Chargers’ number, improving to 2-0-1 against them over the last three years. It’s a big setback, the Chargers can’t seem to win these big marquee enounters. West Covina 33, Glendora 28 – If Covina this good? In all seriousness, if the Bulldogs aren’t the No. 1 ranked team in the Southeast next week, the pollsters aren’t paying attention. Bonita 29, Baldwin Park 0 – Did I just say West Covina should be No. 1 in the Southeast? Yup, I forgot about the guys in green, who make an equally compelling argument. San Dimas 35, Monrovia 34, OT — Amazing. The Saints trailed 28-7 heading in the fourth, scored 21 unanswered points and won in overtime. If you’re Monrovia, you’re only hope is you win the rematch come December. Brea Olinda at Diamond Bar, 7 p.m. — Robledo (DBar); Ramirez (DBar) Covina at Walnut, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Covina); Ramirez (Covina) Garey at Ganesha, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Ganesha); Ramirez (Ganesha) Hart at Arroyo, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Hart); Ramirez (Hart) Hoover at Mountain View, 7 p.m. — Robledo (MView); Ramirez (MView) La Puente at Wilson, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Wilson); Ramirez (Wilson) Northview vs. Chino at Covina District, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Chino); Ramirez (Northview) Pomona at Chino Hills, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Ch. Hills); Ramirez (Ch. Hills) Rosemead at San Marino, 7 p.m. – Robledo (SMarino); Ramirez (San Marino) Rowland at Claremont, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Rowland); Ramirez (Rowland) Sierra Vista at Keppel, 7 p.m. — Robledo (SVista); Ramirez (SVista) South El Monte at Nogales, 7 p.m. – Robledo (SEMonte); Ramirez (SEMonte) South Hills at Tesoro. 7 p.m. — Robledo (Tesoro); Ramirez (Tesoro) Workman at Montclair, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Montclair); Ramirez (Workman)
For quarter-by-quarter updates of tonight’s games, click thread.
