Serra finished a late-inning rally with a walk-off 6-5 victory against Valley Christian Wednesday at Santa Clara University’s Schott Stadium. The victory enabled the Padres to advance to the WCAL tournament championship, where they will take on Bellarmine, a 3-0 winner over St. Francis in the other semifinal.
Valley Christian, which was up three runs heading into the bottom of the seventh, gave up four runs, with Serra's game-winner coming on a single by Christian Conci.
“I mean that’s what the games all about right there, coming down here late in the game and getting the win," Conci said. "That’s awesome.”
The first-team all-league senior third baseman went 2-for-3 on the night.
Valley Christian's bullpen faltered in the defeat, surrendering three of the four runs in the bottom of the seventh without getting an out. Starting pitcher Chris Manderson silenced Serra most of the game, lasting six innings while only giving up three runs on five hits while striking out three.
Serra starting pitcher Matt Gorgolinski only lasted 2 1/3 innings, allowing the Warriors to score four times. Middle reliever and winning pitcher Matt Blais threw 4 2/3 innings for Serra, preventing Valley from putting the game out of reach.
"I just wanted to attack, go in and throw strikes, command the off speed," Blais said.
Valley Christian, which started out hot, scored twice in the first and once in the second, third and fourth innings. The main producers for Valley Christian included the Brigman brothers, Bryson and Keenan, who went a combined 3-for-6 with three stolen bases, two runs scored, a sacrifice bunt and an RBI. First baseman Ben Hughes also came up in the clutch for the Warriors, going 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI.
For the Padres, whose offense was stifled for most of the game, senior catcher Michael Tinsley led the charge, going 3-for-4 with a double, stolen base, and a run. Another leading force at the plate for Serra was junior Paul Murray, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk.
Serra coach Craig Gianinno, excited for the WCAL final Thursday, explained the team's approach: “Stay in the moment. Just compete. Win the moment."
While Valley Christian awaits its seeding in the Central Coast Section playoffs, the Padres will meet Bellarmine at 6 p.m. Thursday at Schott Stadium for the WCAL playoff title.
