Herd-Lancers in finals

Chris Martin stole the show on Day 3 of the Boras Baseball Classic with a complete game gem in a 3-1 win over nationally ranked Buchanan. The win put Elk Grove in the North finals for the second straight year.

Starting with a four pitch first inning and continuing on throughout the game, Martin got quick outs and controlled the action with his superb command. He tossed a three hitter on just 82 pitches.

"I felt great. We (catcher Landon Gastelum and Martin) work pretty well together," Martin said.

Elk Grove head coach Jeff Carlson added, "He was outstanding. That's what we expect out of him. He has done a great job. He's been our most consistent guy to date."

The Thundering Herd got on the board in the first through a series of Buchanan misplays. Nick Madrigal reached on an infield hit and stole second before coming into score on a Buchanan error. Dylan Carlson scored off another error and Ryan Robards had a RBI double to centerfield for a 3-0 lead.

"(Buchanan) runs and they put a lot of pressure on you. We kind of took their game and gave it back to them and it worked in the first," Carlson said.

The early miscues were the only real blemishes for Buchanan starter Aaron Guetierrez, who allowed just four hits during a complete game effort. Buchanan threatened in the top of the sixth with singles from Zach Ashford and Korby Batesole. Fresno State signee Trenton Kamp drew a full count walk to load the bases, but Martin forced a fielder's choice on the next batter. Carlos Mosley ended the game an inning later with a diving play going to his right.

The win puts Elk Grove in the North finals for the second straight year. It will face St. Francis-Mountain View, which beat the Thundering Herd earlier this year.

Granite Bay 2, Oak Ridge 1

With hits being hard to come by, Granite Bay used a pair of sacrifices in the bottom of the seventh to prevail over Oak Ridge 2-1. After Zach Hall reached on an infield single, Connor Briare laid down his second sacrifice bunt of the afternoon. Michael Birch's second hit of the game placed runners on first and third with one out. Finally, pinch hitter Myles Slattery executed a sacrifice fly for the win.

The offensive execution backed four inning of one run ball from left-hander Ryan Brown and two shutout innings of relief from Nick Frank.

"Hopefully this springboards us into next week," Granite Bay head coach Pat Esposito said. The Grizzlies finish up with series against Woodcreek, Del Oro and Rocklin. They are in a tie for third in the Sierra Foothill League and two games back of Rocklin. Granite Bay will take on De La Salle today and throw Briare, who is headed to Loyola Marymount.

Oak Ridge looked to be in control most of the game leaving at least one runner in scoring position in the last three innings. The Trojans left runners at second and third in the seventh inning. It negated a good outing for Austin Vail, who pitched into the seventh inning. The senior pounded the strike zone and allowed just four hits. The Delta River League leaders fall to 3-6 in non-league games. The Trojans will face Clovis West, which lost to St. Francis-Mountain View in the semi-finals, on Thursday.

Mitty 8, Rio Americano 1

Coming from the down to the final out West Catholic Athletic League action, Mitty was able to enjoy an easy win after losing to Oak Ridge on Tuesday. It scored in the first four innings as part of an 8-1 win over Rio Americano.

"It makes baseball a lot more fun when you can do that," Mitty head coach Bill Hutton said of the early offense. "We play so many games that are low scoring, high stress. Scoring a couple of run early, we didn't know how to act."

In the first inning, senior Luke Rasmussen had a RBI single and Trent Scharrenberg scored after the third strike on Tommy Hudson got passed the catcher. Drew Mount added a RBI single in the second and Hudson drove in two runs in the third for a 5-0 lead. After a RBI single by Josh Savea off Mitty starting pitcher Kyle McBerry, Mitty scored three runs in the fourth for an 8-1 lead. Hudson finished with two hits and 3 RBI and Rasmussen reached base three times.

McBerry was one of four pitchers used for the Monarchs, which will throw Stanford commit Kris Bubic today against Davis.

In the tournament opener, Rio Americano led Elk Grove 7-0 but is 1-2 heading into its finale against Stockdale.

Grant 12, Christian Brothers 2

Grant and Christian Brothers were in a back and forth contest before the decisive fifth inning. The Pacers dominated both halves of the frame as part of a 12-2 win. Tied at two, Grant scored four runs in the top of the fifth started by a single from leadoff hitter Kyle Pruitt to drive in Ruben Garza. Polo Portela followed with a two RBI single and Chris Atteberry finished it with a RBI single to plate Cameron Avila. Starting pitcher Danny Chavez came back with a perfect bottom of the fifth as part of his complete game effort. He struck out eight batters, including five in a row at one point.

"Your pitching staff is vital. To get a complete game really saves us for tomorrow's game," Grant head coach Danny Chavez said of the sophomore's outing.

Pruitt had two hits, three runs and reached base four times. Avila had three hits and four RBI and Portela added three hits. The Pacers started six juniors in the batting order in snapping a four game losing streak. During the streak, they had lost to Elk Grove, Buchanan and Mitty. Grant will take on Division III ranked Yuba City today.

Christian Brothers fell to 0-3 at the event and have given up 22 runs. Brendon Gormley had the hardest hit ball for the Falcons with a double to left field in the third inning. The Falcons matched Pacer runs in the first and third inning, but allowed the game's final 10 runs. Christian Brothers plays Foothill-Palo Cedro today.