One more to go.
The Cate baseball team’s march through the CIF Division VII playoffs is now just a step short of a title, as the Rams scored three early runs and never looked back in a 6-2 semifinal win over St. Michael’s in Long Beach on Tuesday.
Their final opponent is also responsible for handing the Rams their only loss of the season — top-ranked Cornerstone Christian.
“To be honest, at the beginning of the season I didn’t think we were capable of this, but it’s a tribute to all of the kids and my assistant coaches,” said coach Ben Soto.
John Warren used his curveball and heater to strike out 10 in just four innings Tuesday before Michael McMahon took over to finish things up.
The Rams (19-1) loaded the bases in the first inning, getting their first run on an infield single by George Lou and two more on a base hit from Nathan Vice. St. Michael’s (20-3) responded with its two runs in the bottom of the first, but couldn’t get on the board after that.
Lou and Jackson Mauze hit back-to-back homers in the third to add to Cate’s lead, and Mauze turned a key double play from third base in the sixth.
Friday’s championship game will also take place at Blair Field in Long Beach, with first pitch set for 1:30 p.m.
CATE 6, ST. MICHAEL’S 2
Cate…302 100 0 — 6 12 2
St. Michael’s…200 000 0 — 2 5 1
Warren, McMahon (5) and Vice; Coven, Chavez (4) and Inman, Coven (4).
2B — C: Warren. HR — C: Mauze (3rd inn. solo), Lou (3rd inn. solo).
