Southern Section Baseball : Division I Final

Long Beach Millikan vs. Esperanza

When--7:30 tonight

Where--Anaheim Stadium

Long Beach Millikan (24-6)--Normally a wild-card team making it to the finals would be big news. But the Rams--who shared the Moore League title with Long Beach Wilson and Lakewood--are not a typical wild-card team. Just ask Mater Dei and Fountain Valley, two of their playoff victims. Junior right-hander Randy Tymchak (10-2) is expected to start. Top hitters include senior first baseman Ryan Beaver (.452, four home runs, 42 runs batted in) and junior second baseman Mark Wells (.420. 47 hits, 22 RBIs). Millikan has won five Division I championships in school history, the last coming in 1992, when they repeated as champions by beating Diamond Bar, 5-4. They have been runners-up twice.

Esperanza (24-5)--The Aztecs have won the 1997 National Classic tournament championship and the Sunset League title. Now they seeks their third Division I championship, the other two coming in 1986 and ’91. Like Millikan, they have twice been runners-up. Coach Mike Curran will start senior right-hander Nathan Choate (12-0), who won the Classic and Sunset clinchers. Top hitters include senior shortstop Tommy Nicholson (.459, five homers, 30 RBIs) and senior catcher David Parrish (eight homers).

Key to the game--The Aztecs can’t afford to let the Rams hang around and steal the game at the end, as they did against Encino Crespi in Tuesday’s semifinal. In Esperanza’s victories against Temecula Valley and La Puente Bishop Amat, Parrish--with a homer and triple--triggered rallies that broke open close games.

Division III Final

Lakewood Artesia vs. Canyon

When--1 today

Where--Anaheim Stadium

Artesia (23-5)--After a so-so nonleague performance, the Pioneers won their first Suburban League title since 1989. They have remained hot in the playoffs, averaging nine runs per game. Coach Joe Dort said senior right-hander Mike Gonzales (7-1) will start. Top hitters include senior second baseman Joe Calderon (.460, two homers, 20 runs batted in), catcher Wiley Garcia (.430, no homers, 32 RBIs) and senior outfielder Joe Hall (.510, eight homers 32 RBIs). Artesia’s only other section championship was in 1986, when it defeated Saugus, 9-4, to win the 2A title.

Canyon (24-6)--The season has been a bit of a disappointment for the Comanches, only because preseason expectations were so high. They started out ranked No. 1 nationally by USA Today but stumbled in the Loara and National Classic tournaments. They also were upset by Foothill for the Century League title. Still, Canyon is back in a section title game for the second consecutive season. Coach Mike Najera will start senior right-hander Jeff Leuenberger (10-1), who won the Division II title game against Upland last year. Top hitters include senior outfielder Mike Tomarelli (.437, seven homers, 45 RBIs) and senior first baseman Brandon Smith (.425, seven homers, 29 RBIs). Along with last year’s title, Canyon won the 1984 2A championship against Lompoc, 2-1.

Key to the game--Artesia must hope the dimensions of Anaheim Stadium can negate Canyon’s power hitters. It is also important for the Pioneers not to fall behind early; though they are scoring runs, they are not going to win with one swing of the bat. The Comanches are playing some of their best baseball now, as they demonstrated by easily handling top-seeded West Hills Chaminade, in Tuesday’s semifinals.