Notre Dame Achieves Mission

Notre Dame High survived a furious comeback by Chaminade and hung on for an 8-7 Mission League baseball victory Friday at Chaminade in the type of game the league has become known for in recent years.

Chaminade catcher Ryan Hamill hit a solo home run with one out in the seventh inning to pull the Eagles to within 8-7, before Knight closer Shawn Smith got the final two outs.

The Eagles had rallied from an 8-3 deficit after five innings.

“It was a little closer than I would have liked,” Notre Dame Coach Tom Dill said. “But every year it’s the same in this league. There are no easy games. People are always battling and it’s a dogfight every year.”

Chris Gray, who hit a three-run home run to give Chaminade a 4-2, come-from-behind victory over Notre Dame on Tuesday, started the sixth by battling Notre Dame starter Ryan Stonerock for 10 pitches. He drew a walk, ending Stonerock’s string of seven consecutive retired batters.

Designated hitter Brian Kirby followed with a low line drive to third baseman Sean Hanrahan, who dropped the ball. After the error, Tyler Dersom walked on four pitches and Dill pulled Stonerock.

Chaminade’s Bryan Kaye greeted hard-throwing reliever Phil Polanco with a two-run single off the 40-foot netting in right field to make the score 8-5.

Polanco threw a wild pitch that allowed Dersom to score, before getting a groundout and strikeouts of Dan Dworsky and Chris Martinez looking to end the inning with Notre Dame up, 8-6.

“We showed that our guys don’t give up,” first-year Chaminade Coach Scott Drootin said.

“I hate to lose but, realistically, in this league we didn’t have any delusions of an undefeated season.”

By handing Chaminade (6-1, 1-1 in league play) its first loss, Notre Dame (5-2, 1-1) can sleep a little easier during a layoff from league play in the next two weeks.

After the first week, five teams are tied for second at 1-1.

“This was big to hang on,” Dill said. “If we go 0-2 [in league play] then have two weeks off, then it’s a long two weeks and we’ll have a tough time coming back. Now we’re right back in it. Tht’s what we were shooting for coming in here.”

Stonerock (2-0) settled down after allowing two runs in the first inning.

Keeping Chaminade batters off balance by effectively changing speeds and spotting his fastball, he allowed only four hits while striking out five and walking two.

At the plate, Stonerock had two singles and two runs batted in.

“We couldn’t lose two,” Stonerock said.

“We know league is going to be tough and we’re gonna have to play some ball to win.”

Hanrahan had three hits and two RBIs for the Knights, including a solo home run in the fourth.

Kevin Jerkens also had two RBIs for Notre Dame.

Kaye had two hits and two RBIs for Chaminade.