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Linfield Christian baseball team uses 6-run rally to top Brea Olinda in CIF-SS quarterfinals

May 13, 2023

TEMECULA – The hole for Linfield Christian was considerable and the danger level was high. Fortunately for the Lions, there were plenty of hands pulling on the rope.

Six outs away from the end of their season and facing a three-run deficit, the Lions put together a huge sixth-inning rally to escape with a 6-3 victory over Brea Olinda Friday in a CIF Southern Section Division 4 baseball quarterfinal.

Linfield, the No. 2 seed, will travel to Anaheim Tuesday to face Canyon, a 13-3 winner over Barstow Friday.

“Our team never falls off with our energy,” said right fielder Drew Taylor, who had the biggest of many big hits in the six-run sixth. “No matter which way it’s going, we’re always going strong.”

For five innings, the Lions (23-7) had struggled against Brea starter Christian Altamirano. Hitting spots and changing speeds, he had Linfield seemingly popping everything in the air. He also was clutch, as Linfield had gone 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position through five.

What he hadn’t done is hold his pitch count low, so when Linfield put two runners aboard with one out in the sixth, he came out. Linfield’s first run came when Brea third baseman Bradley Medley gambled, trying for an out at the plate, putting the tying run aboard.

It didn’t stay aboard long, as Taylor drilled a double inside third base to bring in a run and even the game.

“The previous pitch, he threw me a two-seam (fastball), which threw me off a little,” Taylor said. “But after that, I was ready for it.”

Things fell apart for Brea Olinda (16-13-1) after that. An errant throw brought in one run and a wild pitch scored another. Jake Valencia capped the inning with a run-scoring single.

Despite all the action in the bottom of the sixth, Linfield Christian coach Kyle Owlsey pointed to a play in the top of the inning as key. Center fielder Gavin Malcomson made a spectacular running, backhanded catch before hitting the fence to rob Jayden Pack of at least a double to open the inning.

“That catch is the best catch I’ve ever seen coaching baseball,” Owsley said. “I think Gavin plays the best center field I’ve ever seen. And that catch changed our season.”

Linfield also got strong work on the mound. Starter Gavin Kramer cruised in the early going, needing just 21 pitches to record his first seven outs. He then lost some command, walking five over the next 2 1/3 innings, three of them coming around to score.

Ryan McCalmont slammed the door shut, retiring all eight batters he faced.

“Ryan is our X factor,” Owsley. “He may be small in stature, but that’s kid’s grit and will are outstanding.”

For Brea, the season marked a turnaround for a program that had struggled in recent years.

“I think it’s the first time in the quarterfinals,” Coach Rich Pohle said. “It’s been a fun ride. I hate to see it end this way, but the future is bright for Brea baseball.”

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Orange County Register

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Linfield Christian baseball team uses 6-run rally to top Brea Olinda in CIF-SS quarterfinals

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