Photos: Ayala baseball beats Eastlake 8-6 in Division 1 CIF State regional baseball playoffs

Ayala set the tone on Tuesday afternoon, jumping out in front of Eastlake with three first inning runs on their way to a 6-2 win over Eastlake.

Author:
Bodie De Silva, SBLive
Publish date:
Jun 23, 2021 2:09 AM EDT

CHULA VISTA, CALIF. -- Ayala set the tone on Tuesday afternoon, jumping out in front of Eastlake with three first inning runs on their way to a 6-2 win over Eastlake. The Bulldogs added an additional run in the second inning and got a strong start from senior Thomas Cerecedes, who allowed only one run during his five innings on the mound. Ayala added four insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning thanks to a two-run home run by Troy McCain and a two-run triple from Jacob Badawi, one of three extra-base hits on the day for him. Eastlake rallied in the final inning, loading the bases for star shortstop Marcelo Mayer. He took the first pitch fastball and deposited it over the right field wall for his section-leading 14th home run of the season, cutting Ayala's lead to 8-6. Eastlake brought the tying run to the plate after Nico Valarelli walked, but AJ Juarez was able to get a strikeout to end it. The Bulldogs will advance to the Southern California Division 1 semifinals and will be hosting Bishop Amat after the Lancers upset top-seeded Buchanan. Check out the photos from the game below.