Eagles Give Up a Run, but They Reach Semifinals

Ryan Connelly’s error led to the end of Calvary Chapel’s 41-inning shutout streak, but the Eagles continued their march through the Southern Section Division V baseball playoffs with a 7-1 quarterfinal victory over Santa Monica St. Monica Friday at Loyola Marymount.

After being held to two runs over the first five innings, Calvary Chapel broke the game open with three runs in the sixth and two in the seventh to advance to a semifinal Tuesday against Ventura St. Bonaventure, a 7-3 winner over Malibu Camp Kilpatrick.

Senior Brett Young (13-0) gave up three hits in six innings, striking out seven. Chad Sterbins went three for three, scored twice and drove in two runs with a first-inning single and seventh-inning sacrifice fly.

With Calvary Chapel leading 5-0 in the sixth, Connelly dropped Steve Hubbell’s deep fly ball to left for a three-base error. Billy Johnson then drove in Hubbell with a groundout to second base.

The streak was threatened the inning before when St. Monica, trailing 2-0, had runners on first and third with two outs, but freshman Ben Agatep grounded out.

“I was worried we were going to lose that scoreless streak, but we have to give up one run now and then,” said Young, who has signed to play for Mississippi.

The Eagles started fast, with Matt Mossberg leading off with a single, stealing second and scoring on Sterbins’ single. Sterbins then stole second, went to third on an overthrow by Hubbell, St. Monica’s catcher, and scored on Pastor Perez’s groundout.

Calvary Chapel threatened again in the second. A walk, sacrifice and Connelly’s single put runners on first and third with one out. The threat ended with Matt Wilbur missed a squeeze bunt attempt and Hubbell tagged out Jonathan Smith.