MISSION VIEJO — Mission Viejo scored seven runs in the third and fourth innings Tuesday and went on to beat Santa Barbara 11-7 in a CIF Div. 2 baseball semifinal.
The fourth-seeded Dons trailed 11-5 entering the seventh. Collin Dewell delivered an RBI double and Pepe Gil added a sacrifice fly.
Mission Viejo (22-13) moves into Thursday’s championship game at Dodger Stadium.
The Diablos scored five in the third and two in the fourth to build a 9-5 lead. Cam Gniadek belted a 2-run homer in the top of the fourth to pull the Channel League-champion Dons (23-7) within two at 7-5.
The Diablos went ahead 7-3 with five runs in the third. They got a two-run double and two-run homer off starting pitcher Kees t’Sas. Dewell came on in relief and gave up a sacrifice fly.
The Dons tied the game 2-2 on Gniadek’s RBI single in the second that scored Lucas Benenati. SBHS took a 3-2 lead in the third on Benenati’s single that brought in Gil.
In the top of the first, Spencer Fraker singled and scored on Dewell’s triple to left to give the Dons a 1-0 lead.
Gents,
You boys did well. You represented the community, school, and program with class and dignity. All the best to those that are graduating. It was a pleasure to watch you play. I know it hurts not to finish the deal but all of you are champions.
congratulations on a great season. I wish all of you seniors in college well. It was my pleasure to play against you.