Baseball: Jason Ceja throws one-hitter in San Fernando’s 4-0 win over Poly

Fans were standing seven deep behind the backstop at Sun Valley Poly on Tuesday for the City Section Division I playoff opener against San Fernando. Fans were sitting in the parking lot in left field and filled the bleachers on both sides.

From beginning to end, what they saw was an effective if not dominant performance from San Fernando right-hander Jason Ceja, who allowed one hit, struck out six and walked three in the Tigers’ 4-0 victory.

San Fernando, which will face No. 2-seeded El Camino Real on Friday, faced the uncomfortable challenge of playing the game without head Coach Armando Gomez, who left shortly before the start of the game after having a bout with vertigo. He was driven to San Fernando’s clubhouse, where he rested and waited to hear the results.

He would have been impressed with the execution on defense for the Tigers, with JV coach Ray Figueroa running the team with the help of the varsity assistants. There were no errors and the Tigers got two hits apiece from Steven Villagran and Alex Hernandez. San Fernando scored three runs in the first two innings off Alex Leon before Danny Pimienta came in for Poly to settle things down. It was too late.

Ceja started the season as San Fernando’s No. 1 pitcher but struggled. Only in recent weeks had he gained command of his pitches. He kept throwing curveballs for strikes on Tuesday.

“I had to throw my curveball for strikes all the time,” he said.

Several former San Fernando players help coach at Poly. In fact, former San Fernando catcher Fred Flores handed a ball to San Fernando assistant David Lira before the game. They were the two standouts on San Fernando’s 2011 City championship team.

Lira called the pitches for Ceja, who made his coach proud.

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