L.A. Baptist Shut Out in 1-A Wildcard Playoff

Failure to provide the clutch hit led to an abrupt end of the season for the L.A. Baptist High baseball team in Wednesday’s Southern Section 1-A Division wildcard playoff game.

L.A. Baptist stranded seven runners, including three at third base, and lost to San Marino, 4-0, at San Marino.

L.A. Baptist managed just three hits off winning pitcher Eric Klingensmith, who got all the offense he needed on a two-run homer by Scott Robinson in the sixth inning. The loss ruined a four-hitter by L.A. Baptist’s Kirk Petersen (7-4), who pitched a complete game.

San Marino’s Greg Scharladi stole home for the game’s first run in the third when L.A. Baptist catcher Gary Guy tried to throw out a San Marino runner attempting to steal second. John Dewey’s RBI double put San Marino ahead, 2-0.

L.A. Baptist, which was second in the Alpha League behind Montclair Prep, ended the season at 11-9. San Marino (12-11) plays Cerritos Valley Christian on Friday in the first round of the playoffs.