Notre Dame Sequel No Different: Semifinal Loss : Division I baseball: Knights fall one game short of the final for second consecutive year, losing, 6-3, to Lakewood.

Hey, comeback--come back!

For a fleeting few moments, Notre Dame High’s penchant for rallies appeared to be working against Lakewood in a Southern Section Division I semifinal Tuesday.

But quicker than you can say, “four-six-three double play,” the Knights’ surge ended dishearteningly and Notre Dame fell in the semifinal round for the second consecutive season, 6-3, at Blair Field in Long Beach.

Last season, Notre Dame lost to Simi Valley, 10-0, to end its season.

There would be no blowout this year. The Mission League-champion Knights (21-6) scored twice in the fourth to trim a 3-0 deficit to 3-2.

And after pitcher Andy Lutz quickly retired Lakewood in order in the fifth, the resurgent Knights put runners on first and second with one out in the bottom of the inning.

“We felt real good,” said designated hitter/pitcher Rich Igou, who had a run-scoring triple in the fourth. “We were confident. The team was up.”

Also up--on their feet--were some Notre Dame fans. But who was up ? That would be Joey Orlando. The senior stepped to the plate and grounded the first pitch from Lakewood’s Steve Immel (9-1) directly to second baseman Chris Holzhauer.

He flipped it to shortstop David McRill, who turned the double play to end the threat.

How crucial was the play?

“Huge,” Notre Dame Coach Tom Dill said.

“I think the word is huge,” Lakewood Coach Spud O’Neil said.

Said Orlando: “I frustrated myself. I hit it solidly--just right at him.”

The suddenly deflated Knights took the field and their ace, Igou, relieved for Lutz.

The deflation continued. Lakewood (24-6) got two baserunners on a walk and a high pop fly that fell for a hit about 10 feet in front of the plate when catcher Eddie Romero lost the ball in the sun.

Andre Camou (2-4, three runs batted in) doubled to left field to drive in both runners and make it 5-2.

For all intents and purposes, Notre Dame’s fine season was over.

“We’re the only team to return this season to the semifinal, so that feels pretty good,” Dill said.

Lutz (7-2), allowed six hits and only one earned run in five innings and had three strikeouts.

Notre Dame committed four errors, including two on throws in the fourth that led to two runs.

Igou capped a fine senior season by going three for four.