Birmingham upsets No. 1 Granada Hills in City Section Open Division quarterfinals
In 15 years as baseball coach at Lake Balboa Birmingham, Matt Mowry has never won a West Valley League championship. He’s all about earning rings for City Section championships. And the Patriots, despite an unimpressive 12-20 overall record, are alive in a bid to win a fourth consecutive City Section Open Division championship.
Birmingham defeated top-seeded Granada Hills 9-2 on Friday, scoring eight runs in the sixth inning after the Highlanders brought in closer Brandon Garfinkel to protect a 2-1 lead. Garfinkel hadn’t given up a run all season but three hit batters, several throwing errors and two walks sent the Patriots into the semifinals on Wednesday against the winner of Saturday’s game between San Pedro and Banning.
Coming through for Birmingham was sophomore pitcher Daniel Flores, who struck out six, walked two and threw a complete game. Gavin Taylor had three hits. Mowry was even close to pulling Flores when he got into trouble in the first inning.
“He settled down and really pitched an outstanding game,” Mowry said.
Cleveland advanced to the semifinals with a 4-2 win over Chatsworth. Andrew Howe picked up the save in support of starter Braden Lowe. The Cavaliers will host El Camino Real on Wednesday.
Southern Section
