Savanna silenced by Northview ace in semifinals
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Baseball playoffs: The Rebels are held in check by Elias in 5-0 loss.
COVINA Savanna had relied on pitching, defense and timely hitting to advance in the playoffs. Northview pitcher Aaron Elias wasn't allowing many, let alone timely hits, in the playoffs.
Only four Rebels reached base as fourth-seeded Savanna lost to host Northview of Covina, 5-0, in a CIF-SS Division IV semifinal baseball game Tuesday at Northview.
Top-seeded Northview (25-4) improved to 25-4.
“When you get into the deep rounds, you got to catch a few breaks,” Savanna coach Rick Parmenter said. “We hit the ball hard quite a few times, right at guys.”
Elias went six innings and gave up two hits. The first one came on a bunt single by second baseman Steven Cruz, who would have beaten out a clean throw had the play not been bobbled. That was in the fifth inning. Shortstop Dylan Roberson also doubled in the sixth inning.
Elias took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against Norte Vista in the second round. He has allowed two earned runs in 16 postseason innings and is available to pitch four innings in the championship.
“We were going to ride Elias as long as we could,” Northview coach Darren Murphy said. “We thought the strength of their team was the pitching. The battle was going to be there.”
Savanna starter Josh Cunningham did his part early on with the help of his defense. Center fielder Daniel Campos had three nice catches, including one in the fourth inning that resulted in a sacrifice fly to give Northview a 2-0 lead. Cunningham allowed three earned runs on four hits in four innings. The Vikings doubled twice in the sixth inning to add two more runs.
The Rebels (24-7), winners of four consecutive Orange League titles, lose all their regulars to graduation, including three-year lettermen Roberson, Dustin Noel and Jordan Byrd.
“I talked to my guys about being proud of what they accomplished,” Parmenter said. “It came down to the second to the last day of the season and they were still playing.”
Contact the writer: amaya@ocregister.com
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