PHOTOS: Crean Lutheran holds on for key Freeway League victory over Yorba Linda

Crean Lutheran relief pitcher Griffin Theetge (right) celebrates Wednesday’s win with third baseman Jayce DeJong. (Photos courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs, Ted Rigoni).

Crean Lutheran High School’s baseball team survived a comeback by Yorba Linda to capture a 4-3 Freeway League victory Wednesday on a hot afternoon at Crean Lutheran.

The Saints (14-5, 4-1) led 4-0 going into the sixth inning before Yorba Linda (6-13, 1-3) scored three runs to get back into the game.

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

Yorba Linda also threatened in the seventh inning off reliever Griffin Theetge, who came on to begin the inning. Nathan Schneider was hit by a pitch leading off and Joshua Garza singled. Theetge struck out the next batter, but Thomas Knutson walked to load the bases with one out.

Under pressure, Theetge struck out the next two hitters to preserve the win for starting pitcher Blake Armstrong, who allowed a run and two hits while striking out two through five innings to earn the win. Armstrong is 4-0.

“I just tried to keep a slow heart rate and try to throw strikes,” said Theetge, who notched his fifth save. “I struggled a little bit at the beginning but ended up toward the end being able to. It was a good game, we started off hot and then we slowed down a little, but toward the end we were able to fire it back up, the dugout was good. It’s a big win definitely to get the win over Yorba Linda, we’re 4-1 in league now we’re just trying to get all the wins we can.”

Crean Lutheran had six hits off Yorba Linda starter Pierce Werner, who battled, pitching all six innings.

Jayce DeJong led the way offensively for Crean Lutheran with two RBI, including a sacrifice fly in the first inning driving in Brady McKay, who doubled to lead off.

“I thought we were really good in the box today,” said Crean Lutheran Coach Jake Haney. “We’re not putting up a ton of runs, but enough, today I thought our swings were really good. Their guy (Werner) is good, he’s a really good high school pitcher, he can change speeds and attacks with the fastball.

“We got innings going, so we get the leadoff guy on, we get a double and move him over, that’s kind of the baseball we have to play, so us getting guys on early in the innings really allowed our offense to move.”

Haney was pleased with how the Saints executed. Dylan Maez, the number two hitter in the lineup, had two sacrifice bunts to move over runners who scored.

“And Jayce DeJong came up twice and in drove in runs in both of those at bats …. both times with two strikes he had some really good at bats and was really clutch for us, those were big,” Haney said.

In the second inning, Crean Lutheran added three more runs. Lucas Williams singled and stole second, Ben Keller had an RBI single, McKay walked. Following a sacrifice bunt by Maez, DeJong had an RBI single and Ian McDermott drove in a run on a bunt single.

However in the sixth inning, Yorba Linda battled back. Knutson drove home two runs with a double and Logan Roehl drove in another when he was bit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

But Ben Ricketts, on in relief of Max Adams, got Owen Smith to fly out to end the inning, then Theetge preserved the win in the seventh.

“I never assume it’s over but credit to Yorba Linda, they came back in the sixth inning and had some incredible at bats of their own but fortunately for us we were able to make enough pitches at the end,” Haney said.

It was the Saints second straight league win. Crean Lutheran defeated Pacifica 3-2 on Saturday.

“I like to win close games, but the league is so tough and so tight,” Haney said. “It kind of reminds me of what our boys basketball team was going through. Every single game is a dogfight, the way I think about it is there are all these games on the table and we’re just trying to get any win that we can and get enough wins to get us in the playoffs and once you get into the playoffs, you never know.”

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