Golbransons, St. Monica Academy baseball pull through in first round
Mark Golbranson scored the game’s only run as St. Monica Academy defeated Lennox Academy, 1-0, on Friday.
GLENDALE — As the one senior on the St. Monica Academy baseball team, Matt Golbranson likes to set an example.
It’s something he’s relished throughout the season for St. Monica, which won its fourth straight International League championship and qualified for the CIF Southern Section Division VII playoffs.
Golbranson helped St. Monica begin the postseason on the right note Friday, as he singled in the winning run and pitched five superb innings in relief to lift the Crusaders to a 1-0 victory against Lennox Academy at Scholl Canyon Ball Fields.
“You just try to be there for your teammates and help pick them up anyway you can,” said Golbranson, who began the game at shortstop and finished with two hits. “I like to help them out anyway I can and teach them.”
St. Monica (12-4) will meet Academy of Academic Excellence, which posted a 12-1 win against Lake Arrowhead Christian, in a second-round home game Tuesday. Academic Excellence defeated St. Monica, 1-0, in the first round last season.
Golbranson drove in his brother, Mark, with a two-out single in the third. The older Golbranson also flourished in relief of starter Riley Gosnell, scattering three hits and striking out five.
“It’s great to get the win,” Matt Golbranson said. “We had to work hard for it and we had a lot of people contributing.”
Golbranson recorded the final out after getting a grounder to first with a runner on first. He struck out two in the fourth and fifth while gaining confidence.
“He’s put the team on his shoulders all season long,” said St. Monica Coach Phil Gleason, whose team finished with three hits against Lennox starting pitcher Anthony Gomez. “He’s an incredible leader and the rest of the team tries to follow him.”
Gomez turned in an outstanding effort for Lennox (14-8). The right-hander struck out eight, including three in the fifth.
“[Gomez} pitched a really great game for them,” Gleason said. “He deserves credit.”
The Crusaders solved Gomez in the third. Mark Golbranson led off with a walk and advanced to second on a passed ball. He reached third on a sacrifice bunt by Charlie Boles. Gomez got the next batter before Matt Golbranson singled to center.
“I think I got a little bit of a lucky bounce on that hit,” said Golbranson, who had a lead-off single and stolen base in the first. “I knew going up there that I had to find a way to get him in and I got a fastball that I could handle.”
In the fourth, Lennox received a lead-off single from Julia Mejia, who was thrown out at second with a perfect throw from Boles in left field. Alejandro Chavez then singled before Golbranson struck out the next two batters.
Golbranson retired the side in order in the third and sixth.
“I think I got a little more confident with each inning,” Golbranson said.
Gomez finished with two hits for Lennox, which took third in the Coastal League.
“It’s been a goal of ours to get past the first round of the playoffs,” Gleason said. “I like the way we are playing right now.”
