Santa Barbara High’s baseball team is now one step away from its first-ever appearance in the championship game of the Righetti Tournament after defeating Pioneer Valley 15-3 and Lompoc 11-7 on Wednesday.
The Dons (10-1), who won their pool, will now face Royal in the semifinals at 4 p.m. Thursday at Elks Field in Santa Maria. The Highlanders are the top-ranked team in Division I.
Pepe Gil had a 3-run homer and four total RBIs in the mercy-rule decision over the Panthers, and then tied up the second game at 5-5 with a 3-run double in the third.
“Today was one of those warm days when the ball was flying all around. It was a good day for hitters altogether,” said assistant coach Mike Cooney.
Alex Spatz, who wasn’t expected to pitch at all this season, made his second relief appearance of the year against Pioneer Valley and improved to 2-0. He has yet to give up an earned run. In the second game, Trey Barrett had two hits and three RBIs.
SANTA BARBARA 15, PIONEER VALLEY 3 (5 inn.)
Santa Barbara…501 81 — 15 11 3
Pioneer Valley…100 20 — 3 3 2
Spatz and Eaton. Rosales, Camarena (4), Perrera (4) and Esparza.
2B — SB: Gonzales, t’Sas, Crummer, PV: Perez. 3B — SB: Gniadek. HR — SB: Zandona (3rd inn., Solo), Gil (4th inn., 2 on).
SANTA BARBARA 11, LOMPOC 7
Lompoc…320 101 0 — 7 11 1
Santa Barbara…104 420 x — 11 10 2
Bower, Bolusan (5), Card (6) and Friend. Zandona, t’Sas (5) and Eaton.
2B — L: Hirzel, SB: Gil. 3B — L: Bower.
