Carlsbad avoids elimination, beats Torrey Pines 4-3 in San Diego Section playoffs

SAN DIEGO -- Saturday's San Diego Section Open Division elimination game matched up Torrey Pines and Carlsbad for the sixth time this season.

The first five games all resulted in one-run victories for Torrey Pines. On Saturday, Carlsbad flipped the script.

The Lancers entered the top of the third inning, trailing 2-1. A dropped third strike and an infield single put two runners on for senior third baseman Henry Gibson. Gibson hammered a 1-1 fastball from Torrey Pines starting pitcher Chase Blease that cleared the left field wall, giving Carlsbad a 4-2 lead.

Senior right-hander Nick Dunlop relieved Blease in the fourth inning and tossed 3.2 scoreless innings, retiring 11 of the 12 batters he faced to keep the Falcons in the game.

Torrey Pines responded in the fifth inning with a solo home run, the fifth of the season for junior centerfielder Peyton Rodgers, to cut the deficit to 4-3.

Carlsbad starting pitcher Mitchell Gibson exited after six innings, allowing six hits, three total runs while striking out five. Sophomore Andrew Langer took the mound, attempting to close out the victory.

Torrey Pines shortstop Thomas Maher reached on an error to begin the inning. Two batters later, Peyton Rodgers hit a sharp ground ball to third base but the Lancers attempt at a double play ended up in right field, giving the Falcons baserunners on first and third with one out.

Langer needed just two more pitches, getting Gavin Strup to pop out to the catcher on a failed bunt attempt and Jace Barajas to pop out to shallow left field to end the game.

Carlsbad advances to the semifinal round of the Open Division bracket and must win twice at La Costa Canyon next week to advance to Friday's championship game. The Lancers have also punched their ticket to the Southern California regional playoffs which will begin the following week.

Torrey Pines, the reigning Southern California Division 2 regional champions, end their season at 19-9.