8th-Inning Homer Eliminates Grant

Brad Slater homered to lead off the eighth inning Thursday, propelling host University High to a 3-2 victory over visiting Grant in a City Section 4-A Division quarterfinal baseball game.

“At first, we didn’t know if the ball went over the fence or got caught in the ivy,” Grant Coach Tom Lucero said. “But, unfortunately, it dropped over.”

The game was scoreless through five innings, but Grant (17-7) broke the spell in the top of the sixth with singles by Peter Chong and Jim Guth and a two-run single by Petur Georgesson.

University (24-3) tied the score in the bottom of the inning on a two-run double by Doug Jarvis.

Grant threatened in the top of the eighth when Jose Velazquez led off with a double and Justin Howard walked, but a strikeout and a double play ended the inning.

Richie Rivera (8-2) pitched a five-hitter for University.

Tony Kuper (6-4), who relieved Grant starter Ryan Messervier in the sixth and gave up Slater’s home run, took the loss.