Ceja's hit propels Patriots to title game

LOS ANGELES >> It was a roller coaster of emotion.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, sophomore JB Dalumpines hit a towering triple to right field to score the game's first run and give Birmingham Charter a one-run lead heading into the final inning.

Seemingly minutes later, El Camino Real capitalized on Birmingham's abundant mistakes which led to the tying run being walked in.

But there was one more emotional high to be captured Wednesday night at USC's Dedeaux Field, and Johan Ceja provided it.

Ceja hit a walk-off single to right field to score Collin Taylor in the seventh inning to give Birmingham a 2-1 semifinal victory over El Camino Real to advance to the City Open Division final at Dodger Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m. against Chatsworth.

Birmingham's Daniwel Flores earned the win with a complete game and four strikeouts in 104 pitches.

Saturday will mark Birmingham's fourth straight City final appearance at Dodger Stadium. Last year's Open final was played at home sites due to COVID-19. San Pedro defeated El Camino Real at its home field last spring.

Birmingham is 7-0 all time in top-division City finals heading into the weekend.

The Patriots will face a familiar foe in Chatsworth. The two teams had a heated West Valley League game on March 29 that was played under protest.

The ruling of the protest resulted in the game being picked up and played from the third inning on May 7. A game Chatsworth ended up winning 5-0.

Despite the semifinal loss, El Camino Real has qualified to play in next week's CIF State SoCal Regional playoffs.