Sunny Hills’ improbable postseason charge continues

Sunny Hills' Garrett Molnar celebrates his team's win in the quarterfinals against West Torrance on Friday.
Sunny Hills' Aaron Paek is lifted into the air by teammate Jacob Murphy after turning the game-ending double play. Sunny Hills won, 3-2, and moves on to the semifinals.
Sunny Hills' Zach Peyton celebrates his hit which scored his team's first run during their quarterfinal playoff game which they won, 3-2.
Sunny Hills' Jacob Murphy rounds third base to score the first run of the game. Sunny Hills won, 3-2, and advances to the semifinals.
Sunny Hills' Jacob Murphy is safe at first after a wild throw pulls the West Torrance first baseman off the bag Friday.
Sunny Hills' Zach Peyton is congratulated by his teammates after knocking in the first run of the game. Sunny Hills won, 3-2, and advances to the Division 4 semifinals.
Sunny Hills' Aaron Pack tags out the West Torrance runner Friday. Sunny Hills won, 3-2.
Sunny Hills' Christian Cano started the game and lasted into the fifth inning against West Torrance on Friday.
Sunny Hills' Christian Cano, right, is congratulated by teammate Andrew Aguilar, left, after being pulled in the fifth inning against West Torrance on Friday. Sunny Hills won, 3-2.
Sunny Hills' Garrett Molnar pitches in relief during his team's playoff game against West Torrance on Friday.
Sunny Hills' Jeff James watches his two-run home run fly over the left field fence during the fifth inning against West Torrance. Sunny Hills won, 3-2.
Sunny Hills' Jeff James, left, celebrates his home run with teammate, Andrew Aguilar, right, during their 3-2 victory over West Torrance.
Sunny Hills' Garrett Molnar walks off the mound after escaping from a bases-loaded situation in the sixth inning Friday. Sunny Hills won, 3-2.
Sunny Hills' Connor Holz lays down a bunt, but the lead runner was thrown out on the play. Sunny Hills won, 3-2, and advances to the semifinals of the Division 4 playoffs.

By Nick Selbe | Orange County Register

May 29, 2015 at 8:10 p.m.

FULLERTON – Just over a week ago, few people outside of the Sunny Hills baseball program gave the Lancers much of a chance to make any noise in the CIF-SS Division 4 playoffs.

Nine days and four wins later, the situation has drastically changed.

Thanks to a strong combined pitching effort by Christian Cano and Garrett Molnar, Sunny Hills defeated West Torrance, 3-2, on Friday to continue its improbable postseason run and earn a spot in the semifinals.

Both Cano and Molnar were able to pitch out of tight spots, though none was bigger than in the top of the seventh inning. With runners on first and second for West Torrance, Molar got a groundball that turned into a game-ending double play.

“As with every coach, you can’t control anything, so you’re just sitting there nervous as all get out,” Sunny Hills coach Arlie Kearney said. “But we’ve been in that spot over and over this year. We’ve been in one-run games with Garrett on the mound, and he’s come up big every time.”

After a loss to Sonora on April 15, the Lancers were 10-8, but have since turned their season around and advanced to the semifinals after three consecutive one-run victories.

“It’s a total joy,” Kearney said. “It’s so great to be a part of. I love these guys to death. I believe in them, they believe in each other. It’s just a lot of fun.”

The Lancers (21-10) will be at South Torrance on Tuesday for its semifinal game.

The Lancers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second inning Friday on an RBI double by Zach Peyton. A two-run home run by Jeff James in the fifth inning increased the lead to 3-0.

West Torrance (21-11) cut the lead to 3-2 in the sixth inning, but left the bases loaded, squandering a chance to tie the score or take the lead.

The Warriors repeatedly had opportunities to score, but could capitalize. Cano and Molnar stranded 11 baserunners, including seven in scoring position.