Michael Huntley breaks down the boys and girls CIF-SS lacrosse playoffs

• April 30, 2023

Last year, Orange County lacrosse teams won CIF Southern Sections championships in boys Divisions 1 and 2 and in girls Division 1 and 2.

This is the first year that CIF-SS used the Massey computer ratings to build the playoff pairings, and it appears that there will be much more competitive games in the early rounds in Division 1.

The most notable first-round matchup in boys Division 1 is between two of the county’s powerhouse programs, St. Margaret’s and Foothill. If someone told me in the preseason that these two programs would be playing for the CIF championship, I would not have been surprised. Instead, we will see one of these elite programs eliminated in the first round Thursday.

I am sure neither coach is happy about such a challenging opening matchup, but it beats what we have had the last two seasons with 10-goal margins of victory in first-round games.

Foothill has been a runner-up in both seasons since the playoffs have been under the CIF umbrella. Luke Fox is a county player of the year candidate with 106 points. Foothill does not have a star goalie like they have had the past couple of years, but they are just as good on offense with Fox, Jackson Hines and Connor Pietras.

St. Margaret’s has the best college prospect in the county with Penn commit Austin Hicks. Owen Binder is also an elite scorer for the Tartans.

JSerra vs. Trabuco Hills is also an intriguing round one matchup. JSerra is hot and coming off a big win recently over Servite. Jack Neiger has been great at goalie and Jack Almy is one of the top offensive players in the Trinity League.

Trabuco Hills blew through the South Coast League and beat JSerra 12-8 in the season opener. Darrell Curtis and Jack Armstrong are good scorers for the Mustangs and Tristan Bassett is one of the top face-off specialists in the county.

Aliso Niguel is the No. 2 seed in Division 2 and is the defending champion in that division. Tommy Smith is one of the better sophomores in the county and CJ Bessuzi is an experienced goalie. The Wolverines will host Yorba Linda in round one.

The two biggest threats to Aliso Niguel’s attempt to repeat as champions are Santiago of Corona and San Juan Hills. The Wolverines are 3-0 against those teams this season but San Juan Hills nearly beat them in the Sea View League championship game. Duke Devault has 112 points for the Stallions.

Woodbridge and Canyon is a fun county matchup in the first round of Division 3. Canyon beat Yorba Linda for the first time in school history to get a second-place finish in the Crestview League. Woodbridge tied for third in the Pacific Coast League and beat Beckman for the first time in school history this season.

In the girls lacrosse playoffs:

Foothill has won both CIF Division 1 championships and is once again the heavy favorite in Division 1. The Knights are more balanced on offense this season with no star scorer, but they have a good trio of Mia Marchetti, Tatum Walshe and Kayla Agarie. Mikayla Yang is a three-year starter at goalie for Foothill.

St. Margaret’s vs. Santa Margarita is the only Division 1 first-round game between Orange County teams. Lauren Lam leads the Tartans with 99 points and Minka Martinez has 75 points.

San Clemente dominated the South Coast League with twins Sophia and Charlotte Yeskulsky. Emma Massamiri is a good senior for the Tritons who is second on the team in points and the leader in caused turnovers.

Murrieta Mesa is the top seed in Division 2, but there are quality county teams in the field.

Corona del Mar nearly beat Division 1 Edison for the Sunset League championship. Frankie Garcia and Abby Grace both have over 100 points and Garcia hit the 200 career goals milestone last week.

Mater Dei is an intriguing Division 2 team. It was competitive against Santa Margarita in the Trinity League championship game. Kate Caffarelli leads the Monarchs and Juliana Stepanoff is one of the better defenders in the county.

Portola is the top seed in Division 3 and is the only county team with just one loss. Jadyn Zdanavage hits a new scoring milestone every week and is a four-sport athlete. Jadyn Kohan is also a capable scorer for the Bulldogs.

El Toro is a sleeper team in Division 3 despite having to play in a wild-card round game. Emily Doane leads the team in scoring and Megan Klepacki was All-County last season. Mikayla Sims is a very good goalie who kept the Chargers competitive in the tough South Coast League.

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​ Orange County Register 

Kings eliminated from playoffs after Game 6 loss to Oilers

• April 30, 2023

LOS ANGELES –– The beautiful dream that was the Kings’ campaign has ended, smited for the second straight season by the Edmonton Oilers, who prevailed 5-4 Saturday at Crypto.com Arena to eliminate the Kings in six games.

It was a first-round series whose intensity may not be matched even by seven-game affairs in the later stages of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, wherein lead changes abounded and one-goal games were the standard.

Winger Kevin Fiala spearheaded the attack with a goal and two primary assists. Winger Adrian Kempe, defenseman Sean Durzi and center Phillip Danault also scored goals, while winger Viktor Arvidsson added two assists. Joonas Korpisalo made 21 saves in his sixth consecutive start.

Edmonton winger Kailer Yamamoto scored the series winner and had an assist on the Oilers’ prior goal. Forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl combined for three points. Depth forward Klim Kostin matched their production, racking up two goals and an assist. Defenseman Evan Bouchard remained hot with two more assists. Stuart Skinner brushed off a late blunder and stopped 40 shots.

With 3:02 to play, Yamamoto put the Oilers ahead for good, potting his first goal of the postseason in timely fashion.

Though the two precise power plays on display the story of the series and the game, and rightfully so, it was a major gaffe that led to a shorthanded goal. Skinner played the puck directly to Danault all alone in front of the Edmonton net, where he summarily deposited the puck to push the score to 4-4.

Edmonton had gone into the second intermission with a 4-3 lead thanks to Kostin’s second tally, with 9:06 left in the second period. A Kings turnover in their own zone led to a sterling bid for Kailer Yamamoto, which left a rebound the Kostin stuffed home.

At the 8:16 mark of the middle frame, Fiala, who’d earned the primary assists on the Kings’ first two goals, left the game knotted anew with a power-play goal, a shot from the top of the left circle that was deflected upon release by Edmonton’s Nick Bjugstad. The two clubs combined to cash in on three of four extra-man opportunities through 40 minutes.

The Kings halved their deficit 6:36 into the second stanza with another man-advantage marker. Arvidsson and Fiala switched positions in one faceoff circle before Fiala fired a pass across to the other for a snipe from Kempe. Kempe has at least one point in each game of the series and eight overall.

Edmonton took a two-goal lead on its first power-play opportunity of the evening, on which they summarily pushed their conversion rate to 60%. It was McDavid whipping a pass from the left faceoff dot to the right, where Draisaitl one-timed his NHL-topping seventh goal of the playoffs.

The first of Kostin’s goals came 12:12 into the first period when he pushed across the slot, letting fly with a searing wrist shot from between the circles to reclaim the lead.

Though Edmonton and McDavid scored first, the Kings were able to turn his next push up the ice into an odd-man rush that nearly resulted in an Alex Iafallo goal, then stone McDavid’s shot off a two-on-one rush that Vladislav Gavrikov defended in exemplary fashion. Soon after, they were off on another counterattack, this one resulting in an equalizer 8:13 into the game.

A shot block by Quinton Byfield started the rush, which concluded when Fiala located a trailing Durzi for his goal through a Gabe Vilardi screen.

The Kings survived the first offensive from McDavid but couldn’t withstand the second. Evander Kane recovered McDavid’s initial shot, moving the puck for a D-to-D exchange and a shot by Evan Bouchard, which McDavid tipped home. It was goal No. 3 for McDavid in the series, all of which he has scored on the road, and it came 85 seconds into the match.

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Clayton Kershaw flirts with perfection in Dodgers’ win over Cardinals

• April 30, 2023

LOS ANGELES ― The Dodgers turned back the clock by welcoming several alumni Saturday night to commemorate the induction of Manny Mota into the “Legends Of Dodger Baseball.”

Clayton Kershaw then turned back the clock against the St. Louis Cardinals, something he’s turning into a regular occurrence in his 16th major league season.

Kershaw took a perfect game into the fifth inning of the Dodgers’ 1-0 victory over the Cardinals before an announced crowd of 48,763 at Dodger Stadium. Evan Phillips pitched the eighth inning and Brusdar Graterol the ninth to record the save.

Kershaw (5-1), who did not walk a batter and struck out nine, finished the month of April with a 1.89 ERA in six starts. He kept the Cardinals off the bases until Dylan Carlson’s fifth-inning single; a Paul Goldschmidt single to lead off the seventh inning was the only other hit he allowed.

Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes and manager Dave Roberts both praised the consistency of Kershaw’s delivery, which has allowed him to maintain deception and overcome the relatively average velocity of his fastball and slider through the season’s first month.

Kershaw also threw eight curveballs on Saturday, none faster than 76 mph. The Cardinals swung and missed at five of them.

“Tonight was his best night (of 2023) for me,” Roberts said. “Just the way he tunneled tonight was exceptional. That’s as good of a team as you’re going to see versus left(-handed pitching) and the way he dominated those guys tonight was pretty impressive.”

St. Louis entered the weekend with a .321 batting average against left-handed pitchers, easily the highest in MLB.

After breaking up Kershaw’s bid at perfection, Carlson played the foil twice more. He made a stellar catch in center field above his head to deny Mookie Betts a chance at an extra-base hit in the fifth inning, then dove to catch a sinking fly ball to end the eighth inning, stranding two runners on base.

The Dodgers stranded eight runners on base in all, and went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position. Their only run came on an RBI single by Barnes in the second inning.

The inning began when James Outman singled, stole second base, and went to third on a wild pitch. Barnes’ fourth hit of the season, a line-drive single, came on a first-pitch fastball from Jordan Montgomery (2-4).

“Obviously I haven’t been coming through in a little bit,” said Barnes, whose batting average rose to .093. “To come through and give him a lead is really important because he’s so good when we’re ahead.”

One run was enough to support Kershaw, who made his 19th career start of seven innings or more without a run and two or fewer hits against him. Only five pitchers (Nolan Ryan, Walter Johnson, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, Justin Verlander) have more.

Roberts had Phillips warm up after Goldschmidt’s single in the seventh inning, in case Kershaw needed help finishing the inning in a high-leverage situation. But Kershaw came back to retire Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras and Carlson on a total of 10 pitches. He threw just 88 pitches in all, 68 for strikes.

Why not let Kershaw pitch the eighth inning too?

“The stuff started to tick down a little bit,” Roberts said. “The last few starts, we’ve ridden him. There’s a long way to go, and regardless of the outcome it’s the right decision.”

Because Phillips had been warming up, Roberts elected to use the right-hander in the eighth inning. He worked around a fielding error by shortstop Chris Taylor and a walk to Andrew Knizner to retire the side.

Graterol threw only one pitch Friday to retire Goldschmidt, and he retired Goldschmidt again on a mere two pitches to begin the ninth inning. Graterol then got Arenado and Carlson to ground out around a Contreras single to finish the game. He and Phillips each have two saves this season.

Outman went 2 for 3 after making a mechanical adjustment following Friday’s game. Freddie Freeman stole his second and third bases of the season ― the first multi-steal game of his career.

The Dodgers (15-13) will go for their first three-game series sweep of the season Sunday against St. Louis (10-17).

​ Orange County Register 

Manny Mota joins Dodger ‘legends’

• April 30, 2023

LOS ANGELES ― Manny Mota became the sixth member of the “Legends of Dodger Baseball” on Saturday, surrounded by famous names from the team’s past and present in a special on-field ceremony prior to the Dodgers’ game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Mota, 85, said he couldn’t imagine being part of the Dodger organization 41 years after his final major league at-bat.

“I’m surprised I’m still alive,” he said.

His son, Dodger broadcaster José Mota, emceed the ceremony attended by Hall of Fame broadcaster Jaime Jarrín, Orel Hershiser, Steve Garvey, Peter O’Malley, and Adrián Beltré, among others.

Mota retired as baseball’s career leader in pinch hits, a role he thrived in after being traded to the Dodgers from the Montreal Expos in June 1969. Saturday, Mota recalled the circumstances of the trade.

“Maury (Wills) was the big fish of the trade,” Mota said. “The only way Montreal would have made the deal is if they threw me in the deal. Maury brought me here. I’m still here, and thank you to Maury and Mr. (Al) Campanis and the Dodger organization. I enjoyed every minute here, every second, and every hour. L.A. for me is my home. I’m so happy and thrilled to be here. I’ve been here more than half a century.”

Mota’s coaching career spanned four decades, during which he often worked as a Spanish-language broadcaster for the Dodgers and for Fox Deportes. Mota also worked as a Dodgers alumni ambassador and made many appearances with the Dodgers’ community relations department ― his favorite post-retirement role with the club.

“I could get an opportunity to know how (people) feel, an opportunity to spend some time, share some time I didn’t have when I was a player and a coach,” he said. “Being in the community gave me the opportunity to communicate with people, and let them know how important they are, let them know that they are part of the country, let them know they are human beings.”

Don Newcombe, Steve Garvey, Fernando Valenzuela, Kirk Gibson and Maury Wills were previously enshrined as “Legends,” whose plaques are displayed at the top of the stadium behind home plate. Hershiser, an analyst on the SportsNet LA broadcast team, is scheduled to be inducted as the seventh member of the group on July 29.

HAS ARM, WILL CATCH

Will Smith, who served as the Dodgers’ designated hitter Friday and Saturday, faces a tough task Sunday when he catches his first game since April 12.

No pitcher has allowed more stolen bases this season than Noah Syndergaard’s nine. The next runner caught stealing with Syndergaard on the mound will be the first of 2023.

“Will’s our best thrower, so to be paired with Noah is a good thing,” manager Dave Roberts said. “They’re still going to take some chances (on the bases).”

According to Statcast, Smith ranked 23rd among qualified MLB catchers last season with an average throw to second base of 80 mph. He missed 13 straight games due to a concussion before returning as the Dodgers’ DH on Friday, then caught Julio Urías’ bullpen session Saturday.

The Dodgers signed veteran Austin Wynns in the wake of Smith’s injury, and he figures to be the odd man out if the Dodgers elect not to keep three catchers on their active roster.

ALSO

Miguel Rojas hit a home run for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga in his first rehabilitation game. He also played five innings at shortstop. Sunday, he is expected to play for Rancho Cucamonga again before returning to the Dodgers on Monday. … Roberts said he is not comfortable “running Miguel out there every day” upon his return because of the injuries to his hamstring and groin early this season. For now, Chris Taylor figures to be the Dodgers’ primary shortstop once Rojas returns. … J.D. Martinez (back) tried swinging a bat Friday before he was placed on the 10-day injured list. Now, Roberts said, Martinez is “laying low. We’ll take the time to put (the injury) to bed. I don’t know when he’ll swing a bat again.” … With Smith returning to catcher, Roberts mentioned Jason Heyward and David Peralta as possibilities to DH against left-handed pitchers.

UP NEXT

Dodgers (RHP Noah Syndergaard, 0-3, 6.58 ERA) vs. St. Louis (RHP Jake Woodford, 1-2, 5.47 ERA), Sunday, 1:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM

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​ Orange County Register 

Kings’ Quinton Byfield remains in spotlight

• April 30, 2023

LOS ANGELES — Where Quinton Byfield skates, the spotlight follows.

His combination of power and grace was alluring enough to the Kings to invest 2020’s No. 2 overall pick into Byfield, making him the highest selection among Black prospects in NHL history.

Since that momentous occasion, Byfield saw his junior league shut down by the pandemic, sending him to the minor-pro level sooner than expected. He made his Kings debut during the pandemic-truncated campaign of 2021. He broke his ankle amid a promising preseason in 2021-22 and earned his first playoff action in two games against the Edmonton Oilers. This season, he’s shifted from center to wing, at least for the time being, just as two other Kings first-rounders, Adrian Kempe and Gabe Vilardi did. On Saturday, Byfield centered the fourth line with Vilardi and dynamic scorer Kevin Fiala, but he spent virtually all of the stretch run as the top-line left wing with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe.

While Byfield has made strides with a well-defined role and top-quality linemates –– Coach Todd McLellan has said Byfield has gotten deeper into his progressions and impacted the possession game favorably as a winger  –– production has not quite followed. Byfield’s garbage-time goal in Game 5 was his first since a March 14 empty-netter, his first against a goalie since Jan. 21 and just his fourth overall in 58 games between the 2022-23 regular season and playoffs.

On one hand, Byfield won’t even turn 21 until August. On the other, the player taken behind Byfield, Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle, has compiled 177 points in 210 NHL games, including 90 points in 78 contests this season.

“It’s not an easy answer. It’s not a simple, ‘Now’s the time,’ or ‘Tomorrow,’ or ‘Six weeks ago.’ There is no easy answer to that,” McLellan said of Byfield’s potential breakout.

Stutzle has been the exception, not the rule, as even consensus No. 1 pick Alexis Lafreniere has yet to break the 40-point barrier in a campaign for the New York Rangers. Only nine players have outscored Byfield from his draft class, and seven of them have played in 14 or more additional games. Apart from Stutzle, only Detroit’s Lucas Raymond has crossed the 100-career-point threshold.

“Quinton, where he was drafted and with the type of offensive expectations that came with that spot or that slot, takes a lot of pressure and (the news media members) ask me questions every day about Quinton Byfield. That’s just automatic,” McLellan said. “And earlier in his career, I had a tougher time answering because he wasn’t scoring, but he didn’t bring a lot else to his game (either). He had to learn that. Now he’s bringing a lot. I have a lot easier time supporting and answering those questions, and I think the offense will come.”

Byfield’s production, albeit infrequent, was a harbinger of Kings success this season. He strung together a career-best scoring streak of five games, coinciding with five Kings victories that were wedged between two losses. Overall, the Kings were 17-3-0 when Byfield registered at least one point, an .850 points percentage, and they won both of the first two games in which he picked up an assist in the Edmonton series. He recorded an assist in the first period Saturday after blocking a shot to ignite a counterattack. Still, McLellan hasn’t been pressing his prodigy for points.

“I want him to keep playing the game he’s been playing. He’s been one of our most tenacious forecheckers, he’s been one of our most physical players,” McLellan said. “And if he just keeps those qualities in his game, then he’ll be fine.”

Lizotte to the rescue

McLellan’s affable demeanor emerges from behind a steely stare that means business, and former Kings enforcer Brendan Lemieux makes his living, in large part, intimidating opponents.

But both grew fond and reverent repeatedly when talking Kings center Blake Lizotte, who returned to action Saturday after missing three games with a lower-body injury. Now in his mid-20s, Lizotte still has some boyish features but, on the ice, he has proven he is all man.

Fiercely competitive, Lizotte embraces the onerous task of being a 5’9”, 170-pound checking center, a role more typically filled by players like Edmonton’s Nick Bjugstad (6’6”, 209) or the Dallas Stars’ Radek Faksa (6’3”, 225). His drive and defensive prowess alike were missed across the three matches he missed, two of which were losses, especially as the Oilers double-shifted their top players across lower lines.

“It’s hard to sit out games, especially in the playoffs, everybody wants to play, especially myself,” said Lizotte ahead of Game 6. “I’m excited to get back in there, bring energy and bring a spark for our guys.”

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LPGA: Cheyenne Knight leads through 3 rounds at Wilshire

• April 30, 2023

LOS ANGELES — For Cheyenne Knight, her back nine score of 33 in Saturday’s third round of the JM Eagle LA Open did more than give her a two-shot lead after 54-holes, it let her know that her late brother Brandon was watching over her from above.

Brandon Knight, who was tragically killed by a drunk driver, wore the number 33 as a high school football player in Texas. When Knight won her lone LPGA title, the 2019 Volunteers of America Classic, she shot 66 on the final day, posting 33 on both sides.

So, when an LPGA media representative asked Knight if Saturday’s 33 might give her some extra mojo heading into Sunday’s final round, tears filled Knight’s eyes.

“It’s always special. I have someone up there watching me always,” Knight said. “Yeah, he’s always with me, so it’s nice.”

Knight’s third round score of 4-under 67 was her third straight round in the 60s, leaving her at 9 under and two shots ahead of Hae Ran Ryu and Hannah Green who are tied for second at 7-under 206. Gemma Dryburgh is three shots back of Knight at 6 under.

Playing in the final pairing on Saturday, Knight opened her round with eight straight pars before making a birdie on nine to make the turn at 1 under. On the par-5, 15th, Knight hit the green in two shots and then rolled in a 20-foot eagle putt to vault her into the lead. A birdie on 17 gave Knight the two shot cushion she will start the final round with.

“In the morning I’ll be nervous, I know I will. If you’re not nervous, it doesn’t mean anything to you,” Knight said. “But I’m just trying to embrace the nerves. This is why I practice. I want to be in these positions. I want to give myself a chance on Sunday. I’m looking forward to it.”

If Knight needs to talk with someone about dealing with nerves that come with competing, she can turn to her boyfriend, Los Angeles Chargers backup Easton Stick. Knight and Stick met when the quarterback played in Knight’s pro-am group last year at the LPGA event in Palos Verdes and started dating shortly after.

Stick was part of Knight’s gallery at Wilshire Country Club on Saturday and he also traveled to Arizona for the LPGA event to support his girlfriend at that event. Knight said having a fellow professional athlete to share ideas and fears with is a huge help to her.

“He gets nervous before games, and I get nervous, as well. So just kind of sharing how we deal with that helps,” Knight said. “Professional sports, they’re hard. Having someone to share that with and just someone to respect how hard it is is nice. From the outside looking in, it looks like a very nice life, but a lot of work and time and travel goes into it. Just leaning on each other in that way.”

Knight said she played well all of last season. While she never played in the final group on Sunday last year, she got close a few times so she plans to call upon her experience from winning in 2019.

“I’ve done it before, but I think whatever happens tomorrow, I just want to learn from it and be the best that I can and just keep sticking to my process,” Knight said. “That’s all I can do.”

Green knows all about playing in the final group in this event, she did so last year. While she wasn’t able to chase down Nasa Hataoka, Green finished second, and that strong provided her with lots of confidence this week.

Green started Saturday at 5 under and one shot off the lead, but through the course of the first 11 holes she struggled, culminating with a double-bogey on 11 that left her at 2 under and well behind the leaders.

But from that point on, Green birdied five of her last seven holes, including birdies on 17 and 18, pushing her back toward the top of the leaderboard and in good position heading into the final round.

“Today being 3-over par through 11 holes and shooting under par, you’ve just got to hang in there,” Green said. “It’s not easy out here. The greens are bouncy and then also in the afternoon getting a little bumpy. They’re actually probably the best they have been the five years that we’ve been here, but you’ve just got to stay in it. That’s how you win golf tournaments.”

Having finished third and then second in the last two years at Wilshire, Green is hoping that the time is right for her to breakthrough and take home the title.

“I’ve put myself in a good position today,” Green said. “To hold a trophy would be amazing because it has been a while since I’ve hoisted an LPGA trophy, and the two that I did win were probably the two biggest (trophies) that we have on Tour. The new one looks really big, too, so I’d like to get my own of one of those. I’ll try and do my best tomorrow.”

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Reid Detmers struggles after good start in Angels’ loss to Brewers

• April 30, 2023

MILWAUKEE — Reid Detmers stood at his locker with no answers for what had just happened.

After starting the game in dominant fashion, striking out five of the first six batters, he ended up being charged with seven runs in the Angels’ 7-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday night.

“Honestly, I don’t know,” Detmers said. “Just leaving pitches over the middle of the plate. I’m going to have to go back and look. All I can think of right now is it’s just leaving pitches over the plate. It’s frustrating.”

Detmers also issued a pair of leadoff walks in the two innings that the Brewers scored.

Detmers’ performance was even more frustrating because the Angels made a late comeback. After trailing 7-1 in the fifth, they rallied on a pair of Mike Trout two-run homers, in the eighth and ninth.

A couple more runs could have kept Detmers from taking a loss in a season that hasn’t started the way some had expected after his impressive rookie year. Detmers has a 4.85 ERA through his first five starts.

His stuff has been dominant at times, including a slider has more velocity than last year.

Everything was going well in this one before Detmers walked Victor Caratini to start the third. Owen Miller then yanked a double down the left field line, sending Caratini to third.

Detmers induced two straight grounders, pushing in one run, but then Willie Adames hit a fly ball into shallow center field. Trout raced in and dove, but couldn’t make the catch, as another run scored.

“At the last second it felt like it knuckled a little bit,” Trout said. “When the ball hits you in the palm, you don’t know where it’s going to go. That was a tough one. I probably should have caught it.”

Adames then went to second on a passed ball and he scored on William Contreras’ double into the gap in left-center.

In the fifth, Detmers again issued a leadoff walk, this time to Miller, the No. 8 hitter. The next two hitters hit sharp grounders to third baseman Anthony Rendon, and both of them clanked off his glove. One was ruled a hit and one was an error.

“Those are extremely hard plays for a third baseman,” Manager Phil Nevin said.

After a strikeout, Detmers walked Contreras to push home a run, ending his night. Two more runs were tacked on to his line when Andrew Wantz gave up a single to Jesse Winker and walked Caratini with the bases loaded.

Only four of the seven runs charged to Detmers were earned, and it might have been a much different night if Trout and Rendon had come up with those plays.

By contrast, the Brewers were able to make the tough plays all night.

In the first inning, the Brewers turned a quick double play to get Shohei Ohtani, who is tough to double up because of his speed. Left fielder Christian Yelich made a sliding catch of a Rendon line drive to end the third, stranding two.

Miller, the second baseman, went past the bag to make a backhand stop of a Zach Neto grounder in the fifth. Yelich then sprinted toward the gap to snag a line drive by Trout, turning an extra base hit into a sacrifice fly.

Center fielder Joey Wiemer made a diving catch of a Brandon Drury line drive to end the sixth inning. Wiemer had robbed Chad Wallach of an extra-base hit that would have driven in two runs on Friday night.

The Angels hit 16 balls at 95 mph or harder and got only four hits out of them.

“We hit some balls hard,” Trout said. “They just made some plays.”

Finally, Trout hit some balls where the Brewers couldn’t catch them. His homers in the eighth and ninth cut into the deficit and got the Brewers to bring in closer Devin Williams, who is now likely to be unavailable on Sunday after pitching on Friday and Saturday.

“I know it looks like it got away from us there for a minute but we were in that game, really until the fifth,” Nevin said. “I love the fight. I love the way they’re going about it and getting back in the game, and got the closer in the game.”

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Servite boys volleyball overpowers Millikan in second round of Division 2 playoffs

• April 30, 2023

ANAHEIM — Servite’s performance against Long Beach Millikan was overpowering Saturday in the second-round of the CIF-SS Division 2 boys volleyball playoffs at Servite High School.

In addition to putting balls away from the net and from the back row, the Friars, the No. 2 seed in the division, scored plenty of points on aces and blocks in a 25-19, 25-12, 25-21 sweep of the Rams.

The Friars (19-16-1), who have not lost a set in two playoff victories, will take on San Marcos of Santa Barbara in a quarterfinal match on Wednesday at San Marcos.

The Royals defeated No.7 Canyon in three sets Saturday and haven’t lost a set in their two playoff victories.

“I thought we did a really good job siding out, especially on the first ball side out,” Servite coach Matthew Marrujo said. “I think we really limited their runs and from there we did a really good job on the service line.”

Marrujo also credited his team’s performance through their two playoff victories, in part, to their difficult schedule.

“We play a really tough schedule (before league) and the Trinity League, so I think some of that shows off around now,” Marrujo said.

Many of the Friars’ seniors also have playoff experience.

Last season the Friars reached the Division 2 final, where they lost to Tesoro in five sets.

Jack Boschetti and Eamon Rigdon had 16 and 15 kills, respectively, for Servite.

Boschetti and Rigdon also combined for five of the Friars’ seven blocks and five of the team’s seven aces.

Bryce Martinez led the Rams (23-10) with seven kills.

Servite led through the majority of all three sets and never gave up more than two consecutive points.

The Rams stayed within two or three points through much of the first set until the Friars pulled away with a 5-2 run down the stretch.

Servite completely dominated the second set, opening on a 6-1 run and then stayed well ahead with runs of 6-1 and 9-3.

Boschetti scored three times on back row kills in the first 6-1 run.

The Rams stayed closed through the first half of the third set before back-to-back kills from Rigdon and Boschetti gave the Friars a 17-12 lead.

Milliken battled and got to within a point at 21-20 before the Friars closed out the set and the match on a 4-1 run.

“I felt like our team all around was fundamentally sound,” Rigdon said. “We passed well. We blocked well. We were really scrappy. Everybody did their job. It was a clean game of volleyball.”

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