CIF baseball playoff scores, schedule: Elk Grove grinds past Jesuit in semifinals
These were Delta League rivals for decades, often showcasing the best baseball teams, top talents and headliner coaches in the greater Sacramento area.
On Thursday afternoon in Carmichael, the storied programs met again, this time for bigger stakes. The Elk Grove Thundering Herd eliminated the Sierra Foothill League champion Jesuit Marauders from the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division II postseason with a 1-0 victory to clinch the best-of-three series in two games in a showdown that was as familiarly intense as past meetings.
“It’s always a close one with Jesuit, and you’ve got to grind to win,” said Elk Grove fourth-year starting infielder Chase Groves, the Cal-bound senior who scored the only run on a passed ball in the top of the first inning. “It’s great to win and take care of business.”
Top-ranked by The Sacramento Bee entering the playoffs and seeded first in this bracket, Elk Grove returns to another section final, seeking its 12th section blue banner.
The Thundering Herd will play the winner of the Central Catholic of Modesto vs. Del Campo winner. Those teams play Game 3 of their series Friday in Modesto. The Division II section title game is May 21, likely at Sacramento City College, the host venue for years. The section office will announce championship locations for all seven divisions over the weekend.
Anthony Bascherini earned the win on the mound for Elk Grove, allowing four hits and striking out four in six innings to improve his seasonal record to 8-2. Tristen Bartlett got the save, his seventh of the season, striking out one for Elk Grove, winners of the Delta League and still cruising at 26-6 overall with a nine-game winning streak.
Elk Grove beat Cordova in a playoff opener 12-2, rolled Vacaville 10-0 and defeated Jesuit 8-2 in Game 1 of this series. Landon Johnson clubbed a grand slam in the fifth inning of Game 1.
The hits were difficult to come by for Elk Grove on Thursday in facing Oregon Ducks-bound senior Sammy Kane. He tossed a three-hitter, walking just two and striking out three. Jesuit committed four errors and finished the season 19-13.
Bartlett, the reliever who leads off the Herd lineup, had a hit, as did Jayden Hernandez and Hudson Hall. Kane, Jesuit’s leadoff hitter, had a hit, as did Parker Lipp, Jonah Glover and Tayt Jackson.
“I never thought my run would be all we needed,” Groves said. “We knew we’d have a tough time getting hits, and he such a great pitcher, that he kept us quiet.”
Groves said of Elk Grove’s pitcher leader Bascherini, “I thought he was great. Every time he’s out there, we know he’s going to compete. He has a chip on his shoulder and wants more, and then Tristen Bartlett slams the door.”
CIF Sac-Joaquin Section baseball
Below are Thursday’s semifinal scores. All semifinal series are best-of-three.
DIVISION I
Granite Bay 5, St. Mary’s 4
Series tied, 1-1. Game 3 Friday at St. Mary’s.
Franklin 5, McClatchy 1
Franklin wins series, 2-0
Championship
St. Mary’s/Granite Bay vs. Franklin, May 22
DIVISION II
Elk Grove 1, Jesuit 0
Elk Grove wins series, 2-0
Rodriguez 6, Laguna Creek 5
Rodriguez wins series, 2-0
Championship
No. 1 Elk Grove vs. No. 3 Rodriguez, May 21
DIVISION III
Rio Americano 10, Christian Brothers 1
Rio Americano wins series, 2-0
El Capitan 11, Manteca 0
El Capitan wins series 2-0
Championship
No. 1 Rio Americano vs. No. 7 El Capitan, May 20
DIVISION IV
Roseville 11, East Union 1
Roseville wins series, 2-0
Central Catholic 11, Del Campo 1
Series tied 1-1. Game 3 Friday at Central Catholic.
Championship
Roseville vs. Central Catholic/Del Campo, May 23
DIVISION V
Wheatland 10, Escalon 0
Wheatland wins series, 2-0
Sutter 7, Woodland 5
Series tied, 1-1. Game 3 Friday at Woodland.
Championship
Wheatland vs. Sutter/Woodland (date TBA)
DIVISION VI
Ripon Christian 6, Colfax 1
Series tied, 1-1. Game 3 Friday at Ripon Christian.
Amador 8, Bear River 3
Amador wins series, 2-0
Championship
Ripon Christian/Colfax vs. Amador (date TBA)
DIVISION VII
Vacaville Christian 15, Valley Christian 5
Vacaville Christian wins series, 2-0
Turlock Christian vs. Big Valley, 7 p.m. Thursday
Turlock Christian leads series, 1-0
Championship
Semifinal winners, May 23