Redondo fielded the only Bay League baseball and softball teams to advance out of the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 3 playoffs Thursday while Mira Costa fans could only hang their heads as both squads were eliminated with heartbreaking extra-inning losses.
“Being the only Bay League team still alive is surprising,” Baumback said. “Both PV and Mira Costa are quality teams.The CIFSS playoffs are tough which is why baseball isn’t a game meant to be played in a single elimination format. Anything can happen and it takes quality play and some good luck to make it deep in the playoffs.”
After losing two games to rival Mira Costa in the final week of the regular season, Redondo’s baseball team regrouped to defeat visiting Charter Oak 6-1 in the opening round of the playoffs.
Redondo pitcher Cooper Gallion limited Charter Oak to two hits in 6 ⅔ innings of relief work to improve his season record at 7-1 as the Sea Hawks scored three runs in the first two innings.
Gallion also doubled and drove in two runs to help his cause. Brady Dorn went 2 for 3 including a triple and Jason Clebowicz went 2 for 4 with two RBI.
Redondo (25-7) will host Ocean League champion El Segundo (22-9) in the second round on Tuesday at 3:15 p.m.
El Segundo is coming off a 15-0 rout of visiting St. Joseph/Santa Maria on Thursday.
“We’re looking forward to playing El Segundo again,” Redondo head coach Jeff Baumback said. “We have played them three times and I know both teams have improved since then. We are familiar with each other and the fact we are just a few miles apart makes this a fun match up. They are a very good club and so are we so the game will feature two of the best teams in our division.”
After taking a 1-0 lead in the third inning, Mira Costa (23-8) could not capitalize on a fine pitching performance by Michael Rumpp in a 2-1 loss in 10 innings to visiting Northwood.
The Mustangs left runners in scoring position while Rumpp tossed a one-hitter with seven strikeouts through the first five innings before surrendering three singles in the sixth inning allowing Northwood to even the score 1-1.
Northwood had three straight singles in the top of the 10th inning to pull ahead 2-1 and Mira Costa batters went down in order in the bottom of the frame to end their CIF title hopes.
Palos Verdes (19-12) earned a wild-card berth and defeated Culver City 2-1 but lost to host Bishop Amat 7-1 in the first round.
