California’s Jakob Johnston gets the call Tuesday when the Condors host Serrano in a CIF-SS Division 4 semifinal game. California is seeking its first trip to the finals since 2000 (Photo by Keith Birmingham/ Pasadena Star-News)
Pitching depth has been the strength for the California High School baseball team all season, and it will be the key trait if the Condors are to advance to the CIF-Southern Section finals for the first time since 2000 on Tuesday.California (26-5), which is in the semifinals for the second consecutive season, will turn to No. 2 starter Jakob Johnston when it hosts Serrano in a Division 4 semifinal, with the winner advancing to Saturday’s championship game at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino. Game time is at 3:15 p.m. Johnston has shown the ability of most team’s No. 1. He’s 10-1, with a 1.05 earned run average. The junior is also coming off a solid outing in the second round, giving up one hit in five innings in a 2-1 victory over Calvary Chapel Santa Ana.The Condors, who rallied for a 4-1 victory over San Gorgonio in the quarterfinals, also look to freshman Mike Elliott, who is hitting .313 with a team-high 22 RBIs, and senior Luis Murillo and junior Andres Hernandez, who each had 16 RBIs.
— Stephen Ramirez
DIVISION 4 SEMIFINALS
Serrano at Cal, 3:15 p.m.
