Southern Section 4-A : Bohney Beats Esperanza in Seventh

After hitting four home runs and collecting 13 hits, Redondo High School still needed Kurt Bohney’s RBI single in the bottom of the seventh to beat Esperanza, 13-12, Tuesday in the second round of the Southern Section 4-A playoffs at Redondo.

The Seahawks squandered a six-run lead as Esperanza rallied for eight runs in the top of the sixth to take a 12-10 lead. Redondo starter Paul Johnson, who was cruising along with a five-hitter, gave up a bases-loaded walk to Kevin Clancy for the first run.

Tom Redington followed with a grand slam to left-center. With two outs, Mike Simms hit a run-scoring single and Brian Aube hit a two-run triple.

Mitch Brajedich cut Redondo’s deficit to one run at 12-11 with solo home run to right-center in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Trevor Kimbro, who hit a grand slam in the first, tied the game at 12-12 with his second home run, a 350-foot blast over the left-field wall. Both home runs came off reliever Greg Haskell, who replaced starter Dave Salcido in the second. Steve Halweg replaced Haskell following a walk to catcher Jeff Lopez.

Halweg promptly walked Darren Daly and then gave up a bunt single to Damon Salisbury, which loaded the bases. Bohney then lined a single to left field to score Lopez for the winning run.

Bohney and Salisbury, who hit a solo home run in the fifth, each collected three hits to lead the Seahawks. The Aztecs were led by Redington, who had three hits and four RBIs and Dave Moralez, who had two hits and three RBIs.

Despite giving up 12 hits and four earned runs, Johnson (14-2) went the distance for the win, while Haskell (6-3) suffered the loss.

The Seahawks (22-6-1) advance to Friday’s quarterfinals. Esperanza, which saw its 13-game winning streak snapped, ended the season 18-8.