PHOTOS: Laguna Hills advances to semifinals with 4-2 victory over Crean Lutheran

Travis Williams of Laguna Hills scores a run early in Friday’s semifinal game against Crean Lutheran. Crean Lutheran catcher Zach Tittle tries to make the tag. (Photos courtesy John Luciano, Wendy Rueter and Howard Lyon, Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs)

Laguna Hills baseball squad captured a 4-2 victory over fourth-seeded Crean Lutheran Friday in the quarterfinal round of the CIF Division 5 playoffs. The Hawks, coached by fifth year coach Drew Hillman, move on to the semifinals on Tuesday at Citrus Valley. Laguna Hills, 20-8, has also defeated Citrus Hills 3-2 and Walnut 2-1.

It’s the first trip to the semifinals for Laguna Hills since 2001. Mike Burke pitched a complete game, allowing seven hits and two earned runs to send the Hawks into the semifinals.

“Mike Burke competed for us for all seven innings,” Hillman said. “He pitched out of some tough jams and did a great job of limiting what could have been some big innings for Crean Lutheran. The game today was not the cleanest by any means, but at this point, it’s about surviving and moving on.

“To be able to say that this class as freshmen were 1-24, and now 20-8 and moving on to the semifinals says a lot about the work ethic and buy in that we have got from our players throughout the course of their high school career.”

Crean Lutheran, coached by Jake Haney, finished the season 23-11 and registered three playoff wins, including a 1-0 wild card victory over Rio Hondo Prep which sent them to the first round. The Saints then defeated Century 13-4 and St. Anthony 13-0.

Min Sung Choo was 2 for 3 with two RBI, Kanon Rabbitt was 3 for 4 with two stolen bases and George Manera pitched five innings allowing one earned run and two hits to lead the Saints.

Haney said he was proud of the team’s season.

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