Chaminade baseball beats Chaparral in walk-off fashion for first CIF-SS playoff win in 11 years
WEST HILLS — Chaminade baseball player Caydin Wilson was breathless after his walk-off hit. His teammates had chased him down and doused him with water as the reality of the history-making win rushed over the Eagles.
Chaminade beat Chaparral 3-2 thanks to Wilson’s walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 3 playoffs at home on Friday afternoon.
It was the first playoff game that the Eagles had won in 11 years.
“I’ve never had that experience before,” Wilson said, catching his breath. “Just jumping, all the guys, everything. It’s a lot of fun.”
@haleymsawyer Chaminade baseball got its first playoff win in 11 years in walk-off fashion. full story at dailynews.com/sports! #journalist #reporter #sports #highschoolsports #baseball #highschoolbaseball #walkoff #pitcher #mlb #sanfernandovalley
Chaminade (20-9) will travel to Mission Viejo for the second round of the playoffs Tuesday.
The bottom of the Chaminade lineup came up big Friday against pitcher Braylon Doughty, the No. 37-ranked MLB Draft prospect and Oklahoma State commit whose velocity reaches the low 90s.
“I knew this guy was filthy,” Wilson said. “His curve and slider — untouchable.”
The Eagles’ No. 7 hitter Isaiah Hearn walked to get on base to start the seventh inning. Jackson Tyler, who also plays football, was next at the plate and ducked to avoid a wild pitch — a moment that caused friction between the two teams and that prompted the Chaminade dugout to partially empty.
Tyler had settled in as the environment calmed and he laid down a bunt to move Hearn to second base.
Wilson, the ninth hitter and a sophomore, came up next for the walk-off hit.
“A lot of other lineups, they’re not hitting seven, eight, nine,” Chaminade coach Kyle Wilkerson said. “And Caden’s just been a guy, really, the last four or five games who’s arguably been one of our best hitters after having a slow start at the beginning of the year. He’s just a grinder and a competitor. It was his turn this time.”
Adam Batmanian pitched five innings of relief and gave up no hits, walked no one and struck out one hitter. Eli Stephens started the game and recorded three strikeouts in two innings.
“I always like to say, ‘You’ve got to be the best to play the best,’ ” Batmanian said. “That’s how these playoffs are going to go for us. I was excited — I’m amped up all the time. I like to have a lot of energy and that’s just how I play the game.”
Chaparral (15-13) gained a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning, but the Eagles were able to tie the game in the bottom of the third frame. Wilson singled, then Carter Bennett reached first base on an error. Matt Churchill followed with a single to bring both of them in.
Bennett beat the throw home to score Chaminade’s second run.
“He knew right away he was scoring,” Wilkerson said. “And not many guys have that kind of instinct to be able to pull that off. He helped set the tone for us all day.”
Chaminade was the Mission League runner-up this season after finishing fifth in league play last season. That, along with Friday’s historic playoff win, has given way to a new level of confidence. Only senior Matt Churchill had playoff experience prior to the win against Chaparral.
“This group does a really good job of getting excited for about 24 to 48 hours, but they’re very business-like at the next practice that we have,” Wilkerson said. “This is just the beginning. We’re still going.”
Other scores from Friday’s games
Santa Clarita Christian 3, Loma Linda Academy 0
St. John Bosco 14, Grace Brethren 0
Calvary Chapel 6, Saugus 2
Harvard-Westlake 7, Norco 2
Cypress 5, Calabasas 2
San Dimas 3, West Ranch 2
La Mirada 4, Oaks Christian 3
Notre Dame 16, Torrance 1
Newbury Park 12, Flintridge Prep 2