San Diego Lions A Baseball : Mitchell Has Big Day to Lead Lincoln

Second baseman Keith Mitchell of Lincoln High School went 4 for 4 with two home runs and five RBIs to key a 12-3 win over El Camino Tuesday, putting the Hornets in the A Division semifinals of the Lions/Mike Morrow Invitational baseball tournament. The homers gave Mitchell four in the last two days and helped continue the Hornets’ domination in the tournament. They have outscored opponents, 24-7, in three games.

Lincoln will play Clairemont this morning at 10:30 at the Clairemont Colt League field. In the other semifinal, Christian and Escondido--both winners of their respective brackets after a tie-breaking process--will meet at 10:30 at Hoover High. In other tournament play:

Escondido 7, Oceanside 6-Oceanside walked four straight Escondido batters in the bottom of the seventh to lose. Andy Martin, the winning pitcher for Escondido, went 2 for 3 with a triple and three RBIs. Oceanside intentionally walked Martin to load the bases in the seventh, setting up the walk that gave the Cougars the win.

This outcome caused a three-way tie in the tournament with Oceanside, Escondido and Francis Parker 2-1. Oceanside and Escondido had the same number of runs allowed and runs scored, but Escondido had one more shutout inning, and advanced to the semifinals.

Clairemont 8, San Pasqual 3--Ricky Doane had four hits and three RBIs to lead Clairemont into today’s semifinals. Garth Klem and Mike Giardano each had two hits for the winners. Winning pitcher John Tuttle scattered five hits and had six strikeouts.

Christian 7, Carlsbad 4--Christian pitcher Mike Castle struck out 12, including eight of the last nine batters he faced to place Christian in a three-way tie with Coronado and San Diego. Christian advanced to the semifinals having allowed the fewest runs. A key factor for Christian was a shutout win which was a forfeit by Coronado Monday. Coronado beat Christian, 10-4, but had to forfeit because the team took batting practice before the game.

Coronado 12, San Diego 11--Bill Paite’s suicide squeeze in the top of the ninth drove in the winning run for Coronado. San Diego was the only undefeated team in its bracket before the game and led, 11-9, going into the top of the seventh. Alan Lane pitched five innings in relief to get the win. Noia Duhala had three RBIs to lead Coronado.

In other games involving teams not advancing to the semifinals: Mar Vista 7, La Jolla 6;, La Jolla Country Day 12, Marian 10; St. Augustine 11, Parker 7.