Dana Hills battles but falls to La Mirada 2-0 in opening round of CIF Division 1 playoffs

Dana Hills catcher Logan Gallina spins away from the play after tagging out La Mirada’s Jacob Sharp in a rundown between third and home. (Photos courtesy James McCormack, For OC Sports Zone)

Except for two pitches, upset-minded Dana Hills played highly regarded La Mirada on even terms Thursday before falling 2-0 in a CIF Division I first-round baseball playoff game at La Mirada.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo

Dana Hills left-hander Dante Jackson kept La Mirada hitters off balance throughout Thursday's CIF Division I baseball playoff game.

La Mirada's first run Thursday, a fifth-inning home run by winning pitcher Jared Jones, was a controversial one.

Dana Hills' Ethan Ezor flips away his helmet after being called out on a close inning-ending play at first base.

Dana Hills' second baseman Ethan Ezor made several good defensive plays Thursday in the Dolphins' CIF Division I playoff game.

Dana Hills' shortstop Zach Waters awaits the arrival of La Mirada's Dominic Martinez, who was picked off first base by Dolphin pitcher Dante Jackson.

5/2/19: Dana Hills' shortstop Zach Waters flips the ball toward the mound after getting an inning-ending force out at second base.

Dana Hills' third baseman Matthew Workman made excellent fielding plays on two bunts Thursday, throwing both La Mirada runners out.

The Dolphins’ lanky lefthander Dante Jackson matched the Matadors’ Jared Jones, a USC signee, through four innings before Jones led off the bottom of the fifth inning with his first home run of the season. That was followed one out later by a home run by battery mate, Darius Perry.

La Mirada hadn’t hit a ball in the air off the clever pitching of Jackson when Jones led off the fifth by blasting an up-in-the-zone fastball well over the fence in left-center. The emotional Jones circled the bases exuberantly, leaping into the air for a high five with on-deck batter Eugene Jeon as he reached home plate.

Dana Hills Coach Tom Faris had catcher Logan Gallina touch home with the ball in his glove, contending Jones had missed home plate in his excitement. The home plate umpire disagreed, ruling Jones had touched them all.

A photo of the play was inconclusive, but it does show the umpire was watching the play closely to make sure Jones did step on home. Faris persisted with his view of the play for more than an inning before being politely, and quietly ejected.

Dana Hills managed only one hit off Jones, who struck out eight, but did have opportunities against Jones, twice getting runners to third with one out. Jones got out of one jam by striking out Jackson to end a seven-pitch dual on a 3-2 fast ball.

The Dolphins’ other scoring opportunity ended when La Mirada shortstop Noah Rodriguez fielded a well-hit ground ball in the gap and threw out Dana Hills’ Ethan Ezor by an eyelash at first.

La Mirada advances to a second-round game at Palm Desert Tuesday.

Dana Hills, which started six underclassmen Thursday, finished the season 16-14.

-Story courtesy James McCormack, For OC Sports Zone