Top-seeded Santa Margarita goes for CIF SoCal regional title vs. No. 2 La Costa Canyon

Santa Margarita players prepare for the CIF Division 1 finals in Long Beach. (Photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

Santa Margarita High School’s baseball team is out to cap a successful run in the CIF SoCal Division I regional with one more victory Saturday afternoon.

The top-seeded Eagles (28-7) host No. 2 La Costa Canyon (26-6) at 3 p.m. in the regional championship.

It will cap a busy weekend for the Santa Margarita seniors who took part in graduation ceremonies Friday.

The Eagles reached the finals by defeating Carlsbad 4-3 in the opening round before capturing a 2-0 win over No. 5 Rancho Bernardo Thursday. Both games were at Santa Margarita, where the Eagles are 16-3 this season.

Collin Clarke pitched six innings allowing no earned runs to get the win Thursday. Brennan Bauer pitched one inning to notch the save. Zach Fjelstad was 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBI.

“Thursday was a great win,” Eagles Coach Chris Malec said Friday. “Clarke threw a gem, and one timely hit early earned our squad the opportunity to play one more time together on Saturday for something special. It has been a pleasure to coach this group of young men.

“It’s a tight-knit group of boys that love to play together, love to compete and haven’t shied away from any challenge all season.”

Malec said the regional tournament has been a great experience for his players, who were the runner-ups to JSerra in the CIF Division 1 finals. 

“The regionals have been a great chance for us to continue our great season, represent our school, our league and the Southern Section,” Malec said.  “Looking forward to a great match-up.”

La Costa Canyon reached the finals defeating Notre Dame Sherman Oaks 6-4 and Eastlake 11-5.

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