Pitcher Lorenzo Gomez #48 of Bishop Amat hugs his catcher Isaiah Ibarra #19 of Bishop Amat after defeating El Dorado 2-1 in nine innings during the National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
PLACENTIA – Sure, Bishop Amat’s Jordan Pasillas deserves much of the credit for driving in Daniel Marquez for the go-ahead run in the ninth inning that paved the way for the Lancers’ 2-1 victory over host El Dorado on Wednesday in a National Classic semifinal.
But Bishop Amat coach Joe Hoggatt started choking up while talking about senior reliever Lorenzo Gomez, who took over in the fifth inning after the Lancers had fallen behind, 1-0.
Gomez steadied the ship and allowed his teammates to come back and win.
Bishop Amat tied the score, 1-1, in the bottom of the sixth, and Gomez eventually got the victory, pitching 4 1/3 shutout innings.
Starting pitcher Lorenzo Gomez #48 of Bishop Amat reacts after defeating El Dorado 2-1 in nine innings during the National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Josh Pugh #1 of El Dorado field s bunt and throws out Josh Zarate (not pictured) of Bishop Amat in the fifth inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Jordan Pasillas #23 of Bishop Amat watches his RBI single against El Dorado in the fifth inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Cameron Casado #3 of Bishop Amat scores past catcher Kory Cardinez #13 of El Dorado on a RBI single by Jordan Pasillas (not pictured) of Bishop Amat in the fifth inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Cameron Casado #3 of Bishop Amat scores against El Dorado on a RBI single by Jordan Pasillas (not pictured) of Bishop Amat in the fifth inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shortstop Frankie Peralez #2 of Bishop Amat throws wide as Kory Cardinez (not pictured) of El Dorado is safe at first base in the seventh inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shortstop Frankie Peralez #2 of Bishop Amat fields a single hit by Blake Thomas #2 of El Dorado in the fifth inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Josh Pugh #1 of El Dorado throws to the plate against Bishop Amat in the first inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shortstop Frankie Peralez #2 of Bishop Amat tags out Landon Runge #12 of El Dorado at second base on a attempted steal in the fifth inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Alejandro Morales #32 of Bishop Amat throws to the plate against El Dorado in the first inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shortstop Frankie Peralez #2 of Bishop Amat throws out Blake Thomas (not pictured) of El Dorado in the sixth inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Rightfielder Garvey Rumary #33 of El Dorado fields a single by Brenden Rodriguez (not pictured) of Bishop Amat in the seventh inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shortstop Landon Runge #12 of El Dorado forces out Dominic Almazon #7 of Bishop Amat at second base in the sixth inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shortstop Frankie Peralez #2 of Bishop Amat tags out Landon Runge #12 of El Dorado at second base on a attempted steal in the fifth inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
AJ Frausto #7 of El Dorado scores on a RBI single by teammate Isaac Cadena (not pictured) of El Dorado against Bishop Amat in the fifth inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Lorenzo Gomez #48 of Bishop Amat reacts after getting the final out of the seventh inning against El Dorado of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Josh Pugh #1 of El Dorado throws to the plate against Bishop Amat in the first inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Bishop Amat celebrates after defeating El Dorado 2-1 in nine innings during the National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Cameron Casado #3 of Bishop Amat is tagged out at home plate by catcher Kory Cardinez #13 of El Dorado in the ninth inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Cameron Casado #3 of Bishop Amat reacts after a run against El Dorado in the fifth inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kory Cardinez #13 of El Dorado dives back to first base ahead of the tag by first baseman Jordan Pasillas #23 of Bishop Amat in the third inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Josh Zarate #6 of Bishop Amat tries to stay cool on a hot day during a National Classic semifinal baseball game against El Dorado at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
AJ Frausto #7 of El Dorado is tagged out at home plate on a squeeze play by catcher Isaiah Ibarra #19 of Bishop Amat in the seventh inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Second baseman AJ Frausto #7 of El Dorado throws wide as Daniel Marquez (not pictured) of Bishop Amat is safe at first base in the ninth inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Josh Pugh #1 of El Dorado is hit in the wrist by s come backer against Bishop Amat in the seventh inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Right fielder Brenden Rodriguez #15 of Bishop Amat makes the catch on a drive by Isaac Cadena (not pictured) of El Dorado in the first inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Isaac Cadena #5 of El Dorado waits on deck against Bishop Amat in the first inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Josh Pugh #1 of El Dorado is hit in the wrist by s come backer against Bishop Amat in the seventh inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Pitcher Lorenzo Gomez #48 of Bishop Amat hugs his catcher Isaiah Ibarra #19 of Bishop Amat after defeating El Dorado 2-1 in nine innings during the National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Alejandro Morales #32 of Bishop Amat throws to the plate against El Dorado in the first inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Lorenzo Gomez #48 of Bishop Amat reacts after defeating El Dorado 2-1 in nine innings during the National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Alejandro Morales #32 of Bishop Amat throws to the plate against El Dorado in the first inning of a National Classic semifinal baseball game at El Dorado High School in Placentia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
“Lorenzo is unbelievable,” said Hogatt, his eyes tearing and voice cracking. “He’s a senior that made the team. I’m so happy for him and his family, because he was close to not making it. We made the decision that he was such a quality kid that we were going to keep him, and he has been probably the season-maker for us. He has gotten us out of a lot of jams and done a lot of things. Just so happy for him.”
Bishop Amat coach Joe Hoggatt emotional after 2-1 win over El Dorado in 9 innings to reach National Classic title game pic.twitter.com/AkbGiewFLT
The Lancers (13-5) will face Cypress in Thursday’s championship game at Amerige Park in Fullerton at 7 p.m. They will be trying to win their fifth National Classic crown, and first since 2017.
Cypress was a 7-2 winner over Santa Margarita in the other semifinal Wednesday.
El Dorado (14-9) will take on Santa Margarita in the third-place game Thursday at 10 a.m. at Amerige Park.
Pasillas drove in both runs for Amat. His game-winning RBI in the ninth inning came on a single to left that scored Marquez.
Bishop Amat’s Jordan Pasillas drove in both runs in 2-1 win over El Dorado in 9 innings to help Lancers reach National Classic title game. pic.twitter.com/rwiyxZmnFo
“I just locked in, trusted my hands, saw a pitch I could hit and just drove it,” Pasillas said of his game-winning RBI. “El Dorado is a great team, they battled, it was a dogfight.”
For most of the afternoon, it was quite a pitching duel between Amat and El Dorado.
Amat starter Alejandro Morales allowed only one hit through four innings, but gave up four consecutive hits in the fifth, punctuated by Isaac Cadena’s single that drove in AJ Frausto to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead.
It didn’t last long.
Amat’s Cameron Casado singled and was sacrificed to second in the sixth inning. Pasillas made the score 1-1 with a single that scored Casado.
Bishop Amat looked like it would go ahead in the seventh inning, loading the bases with no outs. But El Dorado senior starter Josh Pugh would have none of it.
After Pugh got back-to-back short fly outs, Amat’s Luke Viola drilled a shot off Pugh’s arm. Pugh lost his glove, but gathered himself, chased the ball down and threw to first in time to get Viola to end the threat.
And that was it for Pugh, who said he hoped his gutty performance — seven innings with eight strikeouts — would lead to some magic for the Hawks’ offense in the bottom of the seventh.
It nearly did.
Cadena tried a one-out squeeze to bring in Frausto for the winning run, but Amat’s Gomez fielded it and hurried it home to catcher Isaiah Ibarra, who tagged out Frausto. The game eventually went to extra innings.
“I like the way we competed,” Pugh said. “Tough break offensively. I was hoping (we could win it with the squeeze), but it’s a tough one. We’ve come through a couple times recently. You win some, you lose some, it’s all good.”
El Dorado pitcher Josh Pugh talks about tough 2-1 loss in 9 innings to Bishop Amat in National Classic semifinals. He went 7 innings with 8 strikeouts, allowing 5 hits. pic.twitter.com/21dboFAqwk
El Dorado gets out of a bases loaded no out jam in the 7th, and Hawks pitcher Josh Pugh makes incredible play for third out. He was hurt on the play, but OK, B7, 1-1 with Amat pic.twitter.com/ILq2DyWOjH
