It was an improbable comeback, one that Gabrielino High School assistant baseball coach Artie Casas called “the most amazing comeback I’ve ever been a part of.”

Gabrielino (7-8, 3-2), in the semifinals of the AA Division in the St. Paul Easter Tournament last Wednesday, trailed St. Anthony 12-1 after the first inning. The Eagles scored nine runs in the fourth, added four in the 11th and won, 21-17. Gabrielino lost in the finals, 8-1, to Glenn, but the Eagles hope the comeback fuels their momentum as they resume Mission Valley League play Wednesday at home against South El Monte.

Casas said two of the 12 runs in the first were earned, the rest coming on miscues.

“Like most young teams we were kicking the ball around the infield,” Casas said. “Then all the elements came together – pitching, defense and hitting.”

Sophomore Angel Acosta pitched seven scoreless innings in relief, struck out 14, and went 3 for 4 with two doubles and three RBIs. Keith Clapp was 4 for 7 with two home runs and four RBIs. It’s the first time in school history anyone has had a multi-homer game.

Acosta came in the fourth with bases loaded and one out. He gave up two unearned runs. His three-run double in the 11th fueled the Eagles’ win. Clapp’s second home run came on a 1-2 count. He also had a two-run double to right center.

“This is the team that was going to take a little bit longer to develop because they’re so young,” Casas explained. “We’re so filled with sophomores. I want to say 70 percent of the team are sophomores; a couple seniors and two juniors, but the majority of sophomores play. It was going to take a little bit for the new sophomores to get used to the varsity level, because it’s a big jump from freshman ball to varsity.”

The game started at 3:15 p.m. and ended just before 7 p.m.

“Believe it or not, those 15 minutes made all the difference,” Casas said. “Because that’s the difference between finishing the game and the sun coming down on us.”