Redondo’s baseball team will play for a CIF title for the first time in the 100-year history of its program Saturday after an impressive road win Tuesday afternoon.
Redondo (28-7) will face Walnut (21-7-2) for the CIF Southern Section Division 3 championship Saturday at 1 p.m. at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino.
While Walnut was handing top-seeded San Dimas (31-1) its first loss of the season, Redondo was taking care of business at Bishop Amat, defeating the Lancers 6-2 in a rematch of last year’s semifinal.
The win was sweet revenge for the Sea Hawks who were eliminated on the same field last season.
“We had a young team last year so they were looking to avenge last year’s loss,” Redondo coach Jeff Baumback said. “We’re a confident team, know our abilities and expect to win every time we take the field.”
Redondo jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI single by Jason Clebowicz and a two-run double by Cooper Gallion.
Jacob Springman’s single with two outs in the second inning gave the Sea Hawks a 4-0 lead, more than starting pitcher Danny Zimmerman would need.
The sophomore right-hander improved his record at 8-2 throwing a complete-game four-hitter while allowing one earned run. He worked out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the fourth inning allowing only one run. Bishop Amat scored again in the fifth inning.
Redondo added one run in the fourth inning and scored once in the top of the seventh inning to seal the victory.
Gallion went 3 for 4 with three RBI and Clebowicz, Zimmerman and catcher Marco Valenzuela each had two hits in the win.
Redondo advances to take on Hacienda League champion Walnut, a team that is enjoying a dream season. The Mustangs won their first league title in 20 years and are riding an 18-game winning streak after their shocking 4-1 road victory at San Dimas.
Walnut pitcher Christian Longoria pitched a complete gamer allowing just five hits to USA Today No.1-ranked San Dimas who was looking to become the first CIF Southern Section baseball team to go undefeated since Ontario accomplished the feat in 1991.
Walnut is led by senior outfielder Michael Mora, junior infielder Brennan McKenzie, sophomore infielder Andy Rodriguez and sophomore catcher Andre Alvarez. Junior pitcher Cody Dye has an ERA under 1.00.
The South Bay will also be represented by Pionner League champion South Torrance who will play Serrano for the Division 4 title at 10 a.m. at San Manuel Stadium.
Second-seeded Torrance (24-8) is coming off a 4-1 victory against Sunny Hills on Tuesday.
Mojave River champion Serrano (22-7) is seeded fourth and eliminated top-seeded California 4-2 in the semifinals.
