Narbonne falls just short in D-I final vs. Garfield
LOS ANGELES » Narbonne players jumped to their feet as senior first baseman Marco Lopez connected with a pitch from Garfield's Anthony Cardenas, driving it deep into right field for what looked like a game-tying hit.
Unfortunately for Lopez and the Gauchos, the ball died on the Dodger Stadium warning track and into the glove of Garfield right fielder Demien Flores-Munoz for the final out in 5-3 win for the Bulldogs in the CIF L.A. City Section Division I final.
Garfield's title is its first since 1997, while Narbonne was denied winning its second in the last three seasons.
“I thought it was gone when he hit it,” Narbonne's Owen Martin said of Lopez's drive. “There was a sense of joy that went through my body when I saw him connect.
“This was incredible being able to play here at Dodger Stadium. Unfortunately we didn't get the result we wanted. It hurts really bad.”
Through five innings Narbonne (18-14) looked to be in control, holding a 2-1 lead.
However things unraveled quickly in the bottom of the sixth inning for the Gauchos. Juan Garcia issued consecutive walks to Flores-Munoz and Jose Rosas. Javier Cerda followed with a game-tying single and another walk, this time to Jorge Robles, loaded the bases with one out.
Then Brian Ultreras hit a ground ball back to Garcia, who looked to throw home to try to get Rosas, but he bobbled it and went to first instead to get Ultreras. That allowed Rosas to come home with the go-ahead run. Later, a wild pitch brought home another Garfield run and Daniel Canales added another run with an RBI single to give the Bulldogs a 5-2 lead.
“It was tough luck on that one (the ball back to Garcia),” Narbonne coach Bill Dillon said. “Typically he makes that play, maybe it's a different story if that play is made.
“This game will definitely keep me up tonight, but I'm proud at how hard we fought all season. We just came up a little short today.”
Narbonne put together a late rally in the seventh inning. Brandon Dillon drew a two-out walk and Martin smashed the ball to the leftcenterfield wall for an RBI triple to cut the Garfield to make it 5-3. Raymond Castro drew a walk, sending up Lopez with runners on first and third.
“It was a different type of atmosphere out there having so many fans out here, you can just feel the energy and intensity of the crowd,” Castro said. “It was really cool. Our thing is that we are able to take punches and are able to respond back. I think that's what we did today. I thought we were going to tie it at the end. What can you say, stuff happens.”
Narbonne jumped ahead in the first inning as Martin led off the game with a single and then stole second and third. Castro drove him in with an oppositefield field double to right. He also stole third base and scored on an overthrow for a 2-0 lead.
With Narbonne leading 2-1 in the 4th they had a chance to extend the lead as the first two batters reached base. However, Garfield pitcher Cesar Ferrer struck out Jaylen Thomas and Garcia got thrown out trying to steal third to end the threat.
“We always like to play aggressively. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but it's our style,” Dillon said.