Baseball: Chaminade upsets Crespi, 4-3, in eight innings

The Crespi of Encino baseball team recently went undefeated at the Easton tournament with a championship game victory against Camarillo last Saturday to remain unbeaten in the season's first five games.

The Celts might win the Mission League this season but they won't go undefeated.

Chaminade of West Hills made sure of that in a come from behind 4-3 victory in eight innings in a league opener Tuesday.

Brandon Rapoport executed a sacrifice squeeze in the bottom of the eighth scoring Dylan Delaney and the Eagles stole an important victory.

"We work on that play a lot," Chaminade coach Frank Mutz said. "The game was ours for the taking and we just gambled there but it worked out."

Chaminade (4-2, 1-0) trailed 3-0 and things were not looking good but Oregon-bound Crespi ace pitcher Ryon Healy took himself out of the game with elbow discomfort after three innings.

Healy only gave up one hit and three walks with seven strikeouts.

John Kearns came in and retired seven of the first eight batters but the wheels came off with one out in the bottom of the sixth.

Delaney singled to right, Beando Tessar homered to right and Ryan Kramer followed with a solo shot and the game was tied at 3-3.

Tessar pitched seven strong innings yielding three runs on seven hits with nine strikeouts and four walks. Tessar didn't allow a run his last three innings.

"I have been on varsity for four years and we have always lost to them so this is huge for us and the school," Tessar said. "It is a great momentum booster going forward."

Tessar finished two for four with two RBI at the plate, including a single that adavanced Delaney to third with no outs in the eighth.

Healy singled, scored a run and was intentionally walked twice for the Celts.

Ryan Brockett had two singles. two stolen bases and scored a run for Crespi.

Crespi (5-1, 0-1)must regroup quickly with a nonleague today at Cleveland of Reseda.

Crespi will get another shot at Chaminade Friday at Valley College.

Healy, the reigning Daily News Player of the Year stayed in the game and batted twice after relinquishing pitching duties and might be able to throw in Friday's game if needed.