California outlasts Freedom

Brendan Sheehan led off in the 10th inning with a double to deep left field, and just like that, California’s offense sparked. After five tied innings, the Trojans scored two runs to beat Freedom, 3-1, in the WPIAL Class 2A championship Tuesday at Wild Things Park.

With Freedom reliever Nick Henderson pitching, Richard Stimmell singled to put runners on the corners for California, with Stimmell advancing to second as Drake Johnson grounded out.

John DeFranco hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Sheehan, giving California a 2-1 lead. Stimmell, on third, scored on a wild pitch, making it 3-1.

“We don’t like to beat people in seven innings,” California coach Nick Damico joked after the win. “We like to wait.”

In the semifinals, California beat Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 4-3, in 11 innings.

California had scored three runs or fewer just three times this season, including its two losses to Waynesburg and West Allegheny. Despite the offensive drought, DeFranco said the double in the 10th fueled a chain reaction for the Trojans.

“The whole dugout was like a spark just went off,” DeFranco said. “Everyone shot up.”

Freedom got a run in the first, as Nick Henderson grounded out to short, scoring Jason Norman.

California caught up in the fourth as Brandon Powell got to first on what was ruled a single, then stole second. Tyler Jacobs singled, scoring Powell, but Jacobs was thrown out at second.

At 1-1 in the bottom of the seventh, with Freedom runners on first and second, California pulled starter Nate Luketich in favor of reliever Stimmell as he was approaching his pitch count. Freedom had two outs, with Noah Henderson at-bat. Luketich moved to catcher. Henderson flied out to left field and the Trojans avoided disaster.

Freedom and California advance to the PIAA playoffs, which start Monday at a time and place to be determined. The winner of the Serra Catholic-Our Lady of the Sacred Heart consolation game Wednesday also will advance.