CIF Southern Section Baseball
Division 3 Semifinals, 3:15 p.m.
Long Beach Wilson (21-11-1) vs. La Salle (17-10)
Arcadia County Park (405 S. Santa Anita Ave.)
Wilson is having a memorable playoff run after six postseasons full of disappointment for the Moore League. The Bruins are playing in their first semifinal since 2011 when they lost to Esperanza at Blair Field. It was the third semifinal in five years for Wilson. Here is the video highlight:
Wilson vs. Esperanza: CIF Baseball Semifinal
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Lakewood lost in the other semifinal that night, and this year it was Wilson’s comeback victory over the Lancers that coach Andy Hall and senior captain Ryan Guerero agree was the turning point of their season. Here is full coverage from that game:
La Salle has one of the best pitching staffs left playing in the CIF-SS playoffs, and the Lancers haven’t given up a run in three postseason wins. They have a team ERA below 2.00 with 135 strikeouts and 54 walks in 164 innings this season.
Senior Zane Lindeman has pitched two complete game shutouts for La Salle in the last two weeks, including the 6-0 win over Temescal Canyon in the quarterfinals. Landon Smith pitched the other complete game shutout, and according to Brian Reed-Baiotto of Pasadena News Now, the Smith will get the start today. He gave up two hits in the 1-0 second-round win over Temecula Valley. Smith (5-1) had a 1.73 ERA with 54 strikeouts and 23 walks in 48.2 innings during the regular season.
The La Salle offense is led by seniors Ethan Patrick and Brennen Mace, who both hit over .424 this season. The Lancers have outscored their opponents 116-70.
First-year coach Eddie McKiernan led La Salle to a second-place finish in the Del Rey League behind Bishop Amat. The Lancers are playing Foothill in the Division 1 semifinals.
Wilson coach Andy Hall said he will "probably" give Nick Endres the start on the mound. Endres (4-0) pitched a team-high 52.2 innings with 2.29 ERA, 32 strikeouts and 15 walks.
In the first round of the playoffs, the Wilson offense set the tone with early runs at Katella. The Bruins have outscored their playoff opponents 15-6.
Wilson upset No. 2 seed Arcadia in the second round by erasing a 4-0 deficit in the sixth inning at home.
On Thursday, Wilson pitchers Ryan Pettway, Endres and Aiden Alaniz pitched a combined no-hitter at Bellflower.
Wilson center fielder Ryan Guerero made an incredible sliding catch to rob the Buccaneers of a hit.
