Crean Lutheran baseball team opens playoffs with 1-0 win over Rio Hondo Prep

Matt Mahoney delivers a pitch for Crean Lutheran in Tuesday’s wild card game. (Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran baseball)

Crean Lutheran’s baseball squad opened the CIF Division 5 playoffs with a 1-0 victory over Rio Hondo Prep in a wild card game Tuesday at Crean Lutheran.

The Saints ace pitcher Michael Panichi woke up with a sore back Tuesday and could not pitch, according to Coach Jake Haney.

Senior righthander Matt Mahoney, who had pitched 14 innings all season, started and threw a three-hit shutout, striiking out nine.

Senior Kanon Rabbitt had the only RBI for the Saints with a single in the third inning.

Sophomore third baseman Mark Fedro made a game saving diving play at third base to keep Rio Hondo Prep scoreless, Haney said.

Crean Lutheran, seeded fourth in the division, advances to the first round Thursday at Century.