Lachlan Clark of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame throws shutout against Norco
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame senior backup pitcher Lachlan Clark wanted the ball so badly Friday against No. 1 Norco that he posted a video of his days in Sherman Oaks Little League, saying, “Bring it.”
He more than lived up to the hype, pitching a four-hit shutout with seven strikeouts and no walks in a 4-0 victory that propels the Knights to the Southern Section Division 1 baseball quarterfinals next Friday. Notre Dame went 2-0 in Pool A. Norco must win Tuesday against Ayala to avoid elimination. The first two from each group advance.
Clark, who recently committed to Long Beach State, was waiting for his turn in the spotlight. The last time he had a chance to shine was in the National Classic when he pitched 6⅔ innings against De La Salle and struck out 10. He thrives under pressure. An injury to Beckett Berg made him the No. 2 pitcher for the remainder of the season.
He was supported by Jacob Madrid, the Notre Dame catcher who hit his 12th home run. After the game, 10 players went with co-coach Tom Dill to the graduation party at Magic Mountain.
Saint-Jean Bosco 4, Sierra Canyon 3: The Braves won their pool to advance to the Division 1 quarterfinals. A passed ball broke a 3-3 tie in the sixth inning. Noah Everly had two RBIs. Troy Sibolboro came through with 3⅔ innings of scoreless relief. Carl McMullan had two hits and two RBIs for Sierra Canyon, which will play a playoff game Tuesday against Cypress.
La Mirada 9, Temecula Valley 2: Ian Aguayo hit a two-run homer in a six-run fourth inning for La Mirada, which next faces Huntington Beach.
Cypress 8, Chênes Christian 2: Noah Johnson had three hits to propel Cypress into a playoff game against Sierra Canyon on Tuesday. Tate Belfanti struck out eight in four innings.
Harvard-Westlake 6, Huntington Beach 5: Jake Chung escaped a bases-loaded situation in the bottom of the sixth to help the Wolverines win Pool B 2-0. James Tronstein went three for three, hitting his 10th home run. Jake Kim hit a key two-run home run.
Lutheran Orange 9, Corona 6: The Lancers won Pool D, recovering from a 5-2 deficit. Brady Murrietta hit three homers and finished with six RBIs.
Ayala 7, Maranatha 6: A Jonah Boyd single in the seventh broke a 6-6 tie and kept Ayala alive in the Division 1 playoffs. Elijah Duarte had two hits and two RBIs.
Corona Santiago 8, Etiwanda 4: Troy Randall had two hits and two RBIs, Max Eldridge homered and Charlie Lemons finished with three hits for Santiago, which will face league rival Corona on Tuesday in a playoff game.
Arcadia 3, Simi Valley 2: Matt Manzo hit a double in the bottom of the seventh for Arcadia in the Division 3 game. Simi Valley lost a home run after Arcadia protested a fielding error.
Saint-François 4, Crescenta Valley 2: Danny Izaguirre hit a two-run homer, Jake Smith had three hits and two RBIs and Caysen Sullivan pitched a complete game as another Mission League team advanced. All seven participants have won at least one playoff match.
Palos Verdes 7, Pacifica Christian 1: Franco Correa had four RBIs and Kai Van Scoyoc struck out eight in six innings.
Edison 5, Damien 1: Noah Hunter struck out 11 and allowed two hits.
