CYPRESS – With the pressure on, Villa Park’s Gavin Grahovac came through with a big hit, and he did it twice Friday in the CIF-Southern Section baseball playoffs.
The senior slugged a home run to start the game and then hit a go-ahead, two-run home run in the seventh inning to lead Villa Park to a 4-2 victory over Cypress in the Division 1 quarterfinals at Cypress High.
The victory sends Villa Park (27-4) to the CIF-SS semifinals for the first time since 2003.
The Spartans will be at home Tuesday against JSerra, a team they beat 11-3 in the Boras Classic South final in April.
“We come here every day knowing that we have to take care of business,” said Grahovac, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound junior who is committed to Texas A&M. “Everyone contributed to this game. I know me doing what I did helps out, but it’s a team game.”
Postgame interview with Villa Park slugger Gavin Grahovac. His 2 home runs, including the go ahead 2-run big fly in the Top of the 7th, send Villa Park to the semifinals!@ocvarsity @VPHS_Baseball @DrKenMiller1 @VPHSathletics @vphsspirit @SteveFryer @C_Morrissette @latsondheimer pic.twitter.com/MW1chUBfxS
— Manny Alvarez
(@MAlvarez02) May 14, 2022
(@MAlvarez02) Grahovac’s solo home run to center field in the first inning put the Spartans ahead 1-0, and they added a second run in the inning with a sacrifice fly by Britton Beeson that scored Zach Brown.
Cypress (22-6-2) scored two runs in the fourth inning to tie the game 2-2. An RBI single from pinch hitter Trevor Monteleone drove in Matt Morrell, and pinch runner Josh Short stole third and went home on an errant throw for the second run.
“I just told our guys to keep their composure,” Villa Park coach Burt Call said. “We still have a lot of game. The score is only tied. We just have to keep playing hard and the kids did that. We played very well defensively and we got great pitching by Brandon Luu.
Postgame interview with Villa Park coach Burt Call as the Spartans head to the semifinals for the first time since 2003.@ocvarsity @VPHS_Baseball @DrKenMiller1 @VPHSathletics @vphsspirit pic.twitter.com/jI4qb9Nklw
— Manny Alvarez
“I was very pleased with the energy that we were able to pick up, and Gavin was able to give us a huge boost with the two-run home run.”
The score was still tied in the seventh inning. With one out and one runner on base for Villa Park, Grahovac hit a home run to left field that gave Villa Park the lead.
Grahovac went 3 for 3 — a double, two HRs — with an intentional walk and three RBIs.
“I come out here and play for my guys,” said Grahovac. “We want to win. That’s all we want. I had guys out here saying (for me) to change the scoreboard. I do it for them. We all want to win the CIF championship. That’s what the goal is.”
Luu pitched 3 2/3 innings in relief and struck out three to earn the win for Villa Park.
Gabe Cobain threw four innings in relief for Centurions. He struck out four and surrendered two runs.
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