HS BASE: Crespi's Johnson makes his pitch vs. Notre Dame

Crespi's Tyler Johnson earned his 19th career pitching victory without a loss Tuesday, and the Celts really needed it this time.

The senior right-hander turned in a masterful performance in a 2-1 victory over Mission League rival Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks before an overflow crowd of about 700 at Birmingham High in Lake Balboa, and the victory forged a tie for first place heading into Thursday's finale between the arch rivals at L.A. Valley College.

Crespi is 21-5, 10-1, and Notre Dame is 22-3, 10-1, and the winner Thursday wins the league title outright and probably will be granted the top seed in the Southern Section Div. III playoffs beginning May 16.

Johnson, who allowed three hits and one unearned run with seven strikeouts in six innings, is 9-0 this season after finishing 8-0 as a junior and 2-0 as a sophomore. He outpitched left-hander Nik Rodarte (8-1), who had won 11 in a row since last season.

"I knew it was going to be a game like this with two of the top pitchers in the Mission League," Johnson said. "We battled and just got enough key hits. This one felt big."

Sean Gilmartin retired Notre Dame in order in the seventh for his ninth save, one shy of his school record of 10 set last season.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com