Gray Drops Crespi With Heavy Heart

Inspired by the memory of his grandfather who died Monday afternoon, Chaminade High pitcher Chris Gray turned in an emotional, courageous effort Tuesday, defeating Crespi, 3-1, in 10 innings in a Mission League game at Valley College.

“This was for him,” said Gray (6-0), who pitched a complete game. “I was real close [to] him. I was thinking about him from beginning to end and I’ll probably still be thinking of him for a long time.”

The right-hander with a submarine delivery allowed just seven hits with a walk and a strikeout. He needed just 75 pitches and did not allow more than one hit in an inning after Crespi (14-7, 5-2 in league play) scored an earned run in the third.

The death of Gray’s grandfather is the second tragedy for Chaminade (18-1, 4-1) in as many weeks.

On April 11, Chaminade sophomore Shannon Simons, a cheerleader at the school and girlfriend of junior varsity baseball player Jordan Hoff, died in a car accident.

The Chaminade players dedicated their season to Simons and some wear patches on their uniforms and white tape around their ankles as a tribute.

“The team feels strong about dedicating the season to her,” Gray said. “Now I have something more for inspiration on a personal level.”

Chaminade, which tied the game, 1-1, on Dan Dworski’s run-scoring single in the seventh, scored twice in the top of the tenth. A two-out double by Chris Martinez scored pinch-runner R.T. Grich and Gray followed with a single to score Martinez.

“My goal was to win this game no matter what,” Gray said. “Thinking of [my grandfather] was the main thing that pushed me to finish. I was scared the whole time, but the team came through at the right time.”

Gray’s inspired performance overshadowed a fine effort by Crespi’s Brian Felten, who pitched eight innings, allowed just four hits and struck out six.

Gray and Felten will be teammates at Loyola Marymount University next season.

* BASEBALL ROUNDUP: C15