Placentia Bronco all-stars defeat Irvine to earn No. 2 seed in regional tournament

Placentia’s Bronco all-stars celebrated a victory Saturday that qualified the team for the Super Regionals next weekend. (Photo: OC Sports Zone, Tim Burt).

Placentia’s Bronco all-stars will advance to the Super Regionals next weekend as the No. 2 seed from the Southern California Central Regional.

Placentia clinched a trip to the Super Regionals next weekend in Jurupa Hills by defeating Santa Ana 10-8 on Saturday in the regional tournament at Hicks Canyon Park in Irvine. South Bay defeated Placentia 3-2 in eight innings on Sunday to earn the No. 1 seed.

Placentia, already guaranteed a trip to the Super Regionals, defeated Irvine 5-1, in the afternoon game Sunday to earn the No. 2 seed.

Irvine Bronco assistant coach Shea Stone said that coaches of the teams agreed to end the tournament on Sunday, rather than extend to the orginally scheduled final day of Monday. Therefore the South Bay vs. Placentia game determined the number one seed and the Placentia vs. Irvine game determined the number two and three seeds.

“That was the most logical solution for the health of our boys,” Stone said.

In the win over Irvine, Placentia was led by Jayden Stilabower, who was 1 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored; Grady Klovstad, who was 2 for 4; Tyler Fritz, who was 2 for 3 with two runs scored and an RBI; Caden Smith, who was 2 for 4 with two RBI;Cole Grothues, who was 1 for 3 with an RBI; and Tristan Gerken, who was 1 for 2. Andrew Churney scored a run for Placentia.

Grothues started on the mound allowing six hits in 4 2/3 innings while striking out seven and allowing six hits. Smith pitched the final 2 1/3 innings, allowing three hits and no runs.

“Cole Grothues threw a great game, controlled the strike zone and struck out seven,” said Placentia Coach Brandon Smith. “Caden Smith came in to close the door for the final 2 1/3 innings.”

The tournament was hosted by Irvine Pony Baseball.

Placentia wins a wild game vs. Santa Ana (PHOTOS)

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