Edison Beats University to Advance

Only two days into the school week and already there were considerable surges of emotion at Edison High.

First came the disappointment: The Chargers (19-8), despite a solid second-place finish in the Sunset League, were relegated to the wild-card round in the Southern Section Division II baseball playoffs.

Then came Tuesday’s 4-3, victory over University at Edison.

It took back-to-back home runs by left-fielder Jeff Grady and pinch-hitter Andrew Rodriguez in the bottom of the seventh inning to turn the tide on what Coach Tom Duggan said had been a frustrating 24 hours.

“I was bitter, to tell you the truth,” Duggan said. “Personally, I don’t think we have been given any respect all year. But our team proved today that it has taken this as a challenge.”

Grady’s blast, on the first pitch of the seventh inning from Brant Cook, was a towering drive over the left-center field fence, tying the score, 3-3.

Then Rodriguez, batting for Glenn Hedgpeth, got out in front of a 1-2 changeup from Cook and drove it just inside the right-field foul pole to end the game. It was the first home run of the year for Rodriquez, who is expected to be the starting pitcher Friday when Edison plays at El Dorado.

Cook, who pitched well, didn’t think he was going to throw at all Tuesday. But on the ninth pitch thrown by Matt Gamble in the first inning, Gamble felt something pop in his right shoulder.

Cook replaced Gamble and Edison led 2-0 after four innings.

University finished 16-11.

In another Division II game:

Katella 7, Woodbridge 3--Aaron Avina had two hits and three RBIs and Tony Alcantar homered and drove in two runs for the Knights. Katella (16-11) will play at Aliso Niguel on Friday. Woodbridge finished the season 17-10.