California advances to semifinals with 2-0 victory
Joel Brewton
Josh Luko (9) pitches for California during Wednesday’s WPIAL Class A quarterfinal playoff game against Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic at Washington & Jefferson’s Ross Memorial Park in Washington.
Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic's Tyler Elwood (14) beats the ball to first base as California first baseman Nathaniel Luketich stretches out to receive the ball in the second inning during Wednesday's WPIAL Class A quarterfinal playoff game at Washington & Jefferson's Ross Memorial Park in Washington.
California's Louden Conte bats against North Catholic during Wednesday's WPIAL Class A quarterfinal playoff game at Washington & Jefferson's Ross Memorial Park in Washington.
California left fielder Robbie DeFranco (5) catches a fly ball for the second out in the top of the third inning during Wednesday's WPIAL Class A quarterfinal playoff game against Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic at Washington & Jefferson's Ross Memorial Park in Washington.
NORTH FRANKLIN TWP. — Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic had more hits Wednesday afternoon, but California fortunately ended up with more runs to advance to the WPIAL Class A semifinals with a 2-0 victory at Washington & Jefferson’s Ross Memorial Field.
The Trojans remain the lone unbeaten team in the WPIAL baseball playoffs, improving to 18-0. North Catholic, also the Trojans, closes the season at 9-9.
California assured itself a shot at the PIAA tournament with the victory. A win over Sewickley Academy, who defeated Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 4-2, and the Trojans advance to the title game. California last won the district title in 2006.
Should the Trojans lose, then they would play in the consolation final for a shot at the PIAA playoffs as the third team out of the WPIAL.
California left two runners on base in the top of the first inning, and another in the second before scoring its first run in the top of the third.
Aaron Previsky drew a two-out walk and stole second base. Previsky broke to third on Ronnie Baron’s ground ball to short, distracting the shortstop enough to have the ball skip through into left field. Previsky kept chugging around to score the first run.
The Trojans loaded the bases with a single and walk, but Brandon Notaro kept them loaded with a strikeout looking to end the inning.
California doubled its lead in the next inning.
Casey Zajicek walked on a full count to open the inning. Brandon Notaro gave way to Jake Matschner and Zajicek took advantage of the pitching change to steal second.
Robbie DeFranco grounded out to shortstop as an alert Zajicek broke for third base. Winning pitcher Josh Luko lofted a fly ball into left field to bring home Zajicek with the final run of the game.
California only mustered two baserunners over the final three innings against Matschner.
“The offense wasn’t there. so we had to play solid defense and pitch. That’s what wins championships,” said California coach Nick Damico. “Give all the credit to North Catholic. They came here to play.”
Luko took care of the pitching, making the most of a generous strike zone on the outside part of the plate to strike out 13. He allowed no walks and the defense played errorless ball behind him.
“I just wanted to try to throw strikes and let the defense do what they’re supposed to do,” said Luko. “The curve ball was a little shaky at first, but I was able to spot that up a little later in the game.
“The high fastball worked. You have to adjust to the umpire as he calls the pitches.”
But, it’s not as though Luko had smooth sailing. The right-hander stranded six runners, all within 180 feet of scoring. He left three Trojan runners standing on third base.
North Catholic’s Tyler Elwood legged out an infield single with one out in the top of the second and moved to third on Calin Gribbon’s single to right field. Gribbon stole second, but Luko caught Andy Kocay looking to end the threat.
After a 1-2-3 third inning, Nick Nieman ripped a double to left-center field with one out. He moved to third when catcher Jake Columbus had to throw out Elwood after the ball got away on the third strike.
But, Luko was again up to the task, striking out Notaro to end the inning.
Luko struck out 9 of the 10 North Catholic batters he faced at least once.
North Catholic stranded a runner on second in the bottom of the fifth, and threatened again in the sixth when Matschner led off with a double.
Tyler Morris sacrificed Matschner to third, but got Nieman to chase a pitch for a strikeout and Notaro swinging to end the inning.
North Catholic had one more shot in the bottom of the seventh after Gribbon was hit by a pitch with one out. The first out was a hustling play by Luko, who alertly rushed to cover first base after the ball slid past first baseman Nick Luketich. Second baseman Mike Luketich cleanly fielded the ball and tossed it to Luko just in the nick of time.
Gribbon, the only Trojan not to strike out, stole second to give the Trojans their sixth runner in scoring position.
But, Luko, as he had done before, buckled down, closing the game with a swinging strikeout and a called third strike.
“Josh did a great job. He shut them down,” praised Damico.
“We outhit them, but we needed that clutch hit,” said North Catholic coach Max Zingle. “It was a good ball game. They battled hard.
“If you would have asked me before the game, I’d predicted we would have had to score more runs to win. I’m happy with the way my team played. We only have 11 players. We don’t have a lot of options.”
California will likely have another gap until its next game, so Damico said the work at practice will continue.
“We need to do something with that offense. We hit all the time, in practice and in game situations at practice,” said Damico. “We have competitive games at practice. It keeps them sharp.”