Warriors keep playoff path open

Carpinteria’s baseball team locked up an important Tri-Valley League victory on Tuesday by topping Malibu 7-5 on Senior Day.

The victory moves the Warriors (10-11, 5-6) into a tie in the league standings with Malibu (14-9, 5-6). The two teams play again on Thursday with the winner clinching a playoff spot.

Tuesday’s game was tied 3-3 when the Warriors posted four runs in the bottom half of the fifth inning.

Marcus Hutchinson picked up the win by pitching five innings. Colton Rubio finished off the final two innings for the save.

At the plate, Hutchinson added two hits and two runs scored to his day. Derrick Moore made some noise with two hits, two RBI and a run scored. Alifonso Delgado was 2-for-3 with an RBI.

“I am especially pleased for the seniors,” said Warriors head coach Pat Cooney. “They played well and won their last regular season game at Calderwood Field. All five seniors have worked extremely hard and have remained very selfless.”

Chase Lambert went 3-for-4 with an RBI to lead Malibu’s hitting attack. Starting pitcher Matt Gruskin was looking for his fifth win in his ninth start.

CARPINTERIA 7, MALIBU 5

Malibu 001 022 0 – 5 8 3

Carp  300 040 x – 7 10 2

M – Gruskin, Simon, and C – Hutshinson, Rubio, and Stein.