Family Affair Works Well for L.A. Baptist

The Petersen family has been waiting for years for brothers Bryan and Andrew to play baseball together at L.A. Baptist High. On Tuesday, the younger brother made his big brother proud.

Freshman Bryan Petersen hit two home runs and finished with three hits in the Knights’ 14-6 victory over Montclair Prep in a Southern Section Division V second-round playoff game at Mission Hills Senior Little League.

Montclair Prep (15-9) had rallied from a 4-0 first-inning deficit to close within 5-4 after five innings on two home runs from Brian Trump. Andrew Petersen (6-0) was starting to struggle on the mound until L.A. Baptist unleashed a home-run barrage.

In the sixth, Bryan led off with a home run over the center-field fence. Dave Romeka followed with a three-run home run. In the seventh, Bryan hit a two-run home run and Ryan Rycroft hit a three-run blast.

Andrew didn’t have to say, “Thank you” to his 15-year-old brother.

“We have this brother thing--eye contact,” he said.

No one has enjoyed this season more than the boys’ father, Ray Petersen, an assistant coach.

“It’s kind of the culmination of a dream for us,” he said.

L.A. Baptist finished with 15 hits. Rycroft had three hits and six runs batted in. Romeka and Brian Myers each had three hits.

Montclair Prep played without its best pitcher, Paul DeMent, who was home ill. Daniel Millman had three hits.

L.A. Baptist advanced to the quarterfinals on Friday, but the players have a problem. The school prom is Friday night on a boat in Marina del Rey. Coach Mark Hubbard said his team is willing to give up a home game to play on Thursday.

Bryan doesn’t care. He’s not going to the prom. He’s just happy his senior brother promised not to beat him up for a day.

“Maybe I’ll buy him a Slurpee,” Andrew said.