Title to Grace Brethren

Winning the Southern Section Division VI baseball championship turned out to be only part of a memorable day for Robby Oster and David Stephenson.

Fifteen minutes after the final out of Grace Brethren’s 3-1 victory over La Verne Lutheran Friday at Blair Field, Oster and Stephenson, the Lancers’ lone seniors, were receiving their diplomas--making up for the graduation ceremony they were missing in Simi Valley.

The ceremony came as a surprise to the seniors, who received their diplomas wearing caps, gowns and full baseball uniform.

“I had to think about it a little bit,” Stephenson said. “But I realized if I missed this game, I would have regrets, either way it turned out.”

Any second thoughts disappeared by the way Grace Brethren (23-2) played in winning its first section title in any sport.

Jackson Beauchamp, Tim Thompson and Danny Buckley held the Trojans (18-3) to four hits.

Thompson (14-0), who pitched a complete game in a 6-5 semifinal victory over Christian Center Academy, was particularly effective.

The sophomore struck out six batters and allowed a single in picking up the victory and was named player of the game.

“My arm is a little soggy right now,” Thompson said. “I’m feeling tired.”

Fourth-seeded La Verne Lutheran (18-3) put together its only rally in the third inning, stringing together three doubles. But the Trojans only managed one run because Mike Thomas was caught off second base.

Temecula Linfield 2, Lake Isabella Kern Valley 1--The Lions scored twice in the first inning and held on in Division V to win their sixth Section title in the last seven years.

Josh Stevens led off the game with a single and later scored on a double by Cory Sousa. Sousa scored on a single by Brad Gilpon for Linfield (22-3).