By Corey Kwok
(San Gabriel) – Gabrielino wasted no time getting out of the gate grabbing a 1-0 lead in the first inning and going on to beat Paraclete 4-1 Thursday in the first round of the CIF Division 5 playoffs.
Angel Acosta hit a leadoff double and a Matt Lok singled off Paraclete starter Michael Alburez’s first two pitches before Vinnie Albelo followed with a RBI groundout up the first base line for a one run lead.
Keith Clapp was hit by a pitch to begin the Eagles’ fourth inning and later scored on a wild pitch after advancing on back to back groundouts, making it 2-0.
Sophomore pitcher Acosta escaped numerous jams as he threw 124 pitches and struck out 11 in a complete game victory. He allowed five hits while stranding 11 runners (7 in scoring position) overall.
Marshall Siordia started Paraclete’s second inning with a single through the 4-3 hole and after an error by the shortstop, on a ball hit by David Metzgar, there were runners on second and third with nobody out.
Acosta then finished off the side with consecutive strikeouts before escaping the inning by inducing a pop-up to center fielder Andrew Valdez. Acosta (10-4) got his 10th victory as he continued to build upon his own school record for most W’s in a season.
The Spirits forced one across in the fifth to cut the lead in half. Mylz Jones beat out a high hopper to the second baseman for an infield hit. Division 1 prospect Tim Torsney, held to 0 for 4 on the day, was caught swinging for the second out prior to Alburez taking a hit and Ben Sitz drawing a walk. Marshall Siordia was hit by another pitch to force in Jones. Acosta regrouped and struck out Metzgar to end the frame.
Gabrielino received timely insurance in its half of the sixth. Paraclete changed arms immediately after a leadoff walk to Lok as Alburez was replaced by Cade Brummer. Clapp laid down a bunt to the right side that was misplayed. Albelo then landed via a fielder’s choice as his roller to short forced Lok at third.
One pitch and a fly out later, Valdez came through on his first pitch with a towering two run double off the left center wall between to score Clapp and Albelo. Valdez advanced to third as the throw to the plate bounced off the catcher’s glove.
Paraclete refused to go away as an infield error, walk, and a double play breakup put runners on the corners with two outs in the seventh. Acosta again battled back and got the last batter swinging to end the Eagles’ two year First round playoff drought.
P 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 – 1 5 1
G 1 0 0 1 0 2 x – 4 5 3
P: Alburez, Brummer / Jordan Calka
G: A. Acosta / Clapp
2B: A. Acosta (G) @ btm 1st – leadoff; Valdez (G) @ btm 6th – 2 RBI
P RBI (1): Siordia; G RBI (3): Valdez 2, Albelo 1
P K’s (4): Alburez 3, Brummer 1; G K’s (11): Acosta 11
W: Acosta (10-4)
L: Alburez (5-5)
Paraclete 15-10; Gabrielino 17-9
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