OC baseball squads move on to semis; Estancia falls in quarters to top seeded Poly 2-0

Kennedy catcher Sebastian McSherry congratulates Tyler Beckler, who reached on a fielder’s choice and later scored. (Photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

Kennedy, Cypress, Sonora, Huntington Beach, Santa Margarita, Yorba Linda and Costa Mesa are among the Orange County teams advancing to the semifinal round in the CIF baseball playoffs.

Kennedy, coming off a 5-0 victory over Loara, will be on the road Tuesday to face Summit. The winner of that game moves on to face the winner of the Sonora vs. Alhambra-Canyon Springs game. The Alhambra-Canyon Springs game has been rescheduled for Monday because it was rained out Friday.

Cypress, the No. 2 seed in Division 1, moves on to the semifinals to face La Mirada Tuesday at 3:15 p.m. a Cypress. La Mirada defeated Mira Costa 9-2 Saturday.

Huntington Beach is moving on to face Harvard Westlake in the semifinals on Tuesday. The Oilers advanced with a 2-1 victory over on Friday over Aliso Niguel.

So, a Cypress-Huntington Beach match-up in the finals next Saturday is possible.

In Divison 2, Santa Margarita is moving on to the semifinals at Redondo Union. The Eagles defeated El Segundo 4-0 on Friday in the quarterfinals behind a strong pitching performance by junior Matt McClure.

In Divison 3, Yorba Linda has advanced to face Great Oak on the road Tuesday. The Mustangs defeated Serra 11-7 on Friday in the quarterfinals.

In Division 6, Costa Mesa has moved on to the semifinals with a 5-3 victory over Vista Del Lago. The Eagles host Calvary Murrieta in the semifinals Tuesday.

Also Friday:

Pasadena Poly 2, Estancia 0: The Eagles put up a fight but fell to top-seeded Poly of Pasadena 2-0 in the quarterfinal round of the CIF DIvision 5 playofs Friday’.

Coach Kevin Colin’s team, which won the Orange Coast League title, finished the season 17-12.

Pasadena Poly (18-3) moves on to the semifinals Tuesday against Rancho Verde.

“The kids battled to the last out,” said Estancia Coach Kevin Conlin. “Coming off the 15 inning game (a victory Tuesday) we relied on three juniors and a senior to battle the number one seeded team.

“They made me proud and it is sad that it’s all over. It was a fantastic season and a great atmosphere. The community, school and staff made it a memory for this year’s seniors. Over 300 fans supported the Eagles today.”

Dillon Manchester started for Estancia and gave up two runs on three hits in four innings. He was relieved by Jeremy Gardner who threw a scoreless fifth inning and Nick Peralez and Brandon Peck threw a scoreless seventh.

In the seventh inning, Troy Huber was hit by a pitch and Jake Alia had a bunt single. The game ended on a line drive double play turned by Poly.

Xavier Prep 5, Century 4: The Centurions, who at one point in the season were ranked as high as number one in their division, lost the quarterfinal round game on the road.

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com

For the updated CIF baseball brackets click here