Crespi helps out Harvard-Westlake in league
Tuesday was a perfect example of how quickly things can change in the Mission League.
While Harvard-Westlake held an eight-run lead over Loyola in the bottom of the third inning, there was another game with a headturning score brewing a two-minute walk away. Crespi had a five-run lead on Notre Dame.
Both games were being played simultaneously at Encino Franklin Fields, home to Harvard-Westlake (O'Malley Family Field) and Crespi (Hartunian Field) baseball.
Harvard-Westlake went on to beat Loyola 11-1. But it was business as usual, marking the team's seventh game with a win by seven or more runs, and the third in four games winning by 10 or more.
Crespi's Isaiah Magdaleno was all business, too, leading the Celts to a 5-0 win over Notre Dame with a complete game shutout and nine strikeouts.
Harvard-Westlake now holds sole possession of first place in the Mission League after being tied with Notre Dame atop the league after the two had a three-way split two weeks ago with one win each and a tie due to the game being called for darkness.
Harvard-Westlake's Tommy Bridges threw five innings and had seven strikeouts. Andrew Citron was 3 for 3 with three runs. Niko Price was also 3 for 3 with three RBIs.
All of Crespi's runs came in the fifth inning. The first three coming from baserunning due to Notre Dame errors before a two-RBI double from Joshua Rodriguez scored Nick Grajeda and Lucas Gabay.
Harvard-Westlake outscored St. Francis 40-1 in its three games last week.
“We've felt the wrong side of complacency before,” Harvard-Westlake coach Jared Halpert said. “Hopefully, this team respects winning enough to understand that tomorrow (against Loyola) it will be 0-0 again.”
Jordan Kingston pitched six innings and had five strikeouts. Peter Lynch earned the save. Phoenix Call was 2 for 3 with a two-run homer.
Daniel Flores threw a complete game shutout with six strikeouts. Robert Pitts had a double and three RBIs.
Drew Gustafson threw five innings and had five strikeouts. Andrew Cuervo went 2 for 3 with a homerun.
Landon Gaz went 4 for 4 with two doubles and five RBIs.
Oscar Lopez threw a complete game shutout. Josh Klein went 2 for 2 with two RBIs.