Down to Last Out, Notre Dame Sneaks Past Loyola Into Playoffs

SHERMAN OAKS — A desperation, season-saving rally--complete with a disputed call and an unlikely hero--gave Notre Dame High a 3-2 victory over Loyola in a Mission League baseball game Friday at Notre Dame.

By scoring three runs with two out in the seventh inning, the Knights (18-8, 8-4 in league play) clinched third place and the league’s final playoff berth. Had the Cubs (13-14, 6-6) won, they would have finished third. Instead, they finished their season.

Chris Morell, a little-used sophomore who was filling in for injured outfielder Adam Boyd, capped the game-winning rally with a high chopper that bounced off the glove of Loyola first baseman Scott Arrasmith for a single, scoring Shawn Smith from third.

But the play of the game came three pitches earlier.

With runners at second and third and Notre Dame trailing, 2-0, No. 9 hitter J.P. Prepuk laced a 1-1 pitch to center field for a single.

John Puccinelli, who started the rally with a two-out infield single, scored easily from third. Designated hitter Kevin Stromsborg rumbled around third without hesitating, but a perfect throw from center fielder John Hilvert beat Stromsborg by 15 feet.

Stromsborg, a Times’ all-Valley defensive lineman in football, rammed into catcher Wesley Willard, a Loyola running back.

The umpire signaled out and Loyola players threw their gloves in the air in celebration. But after a Notre Dame appeal, the base umpire ruled that Willard had dropped the ball. Stromsborg’s run tied the score, 2-2.

“It was a cross between a high slide and a low tackle,” said Stromsborg, who suffered a bloody nose and a gash across the bridge of his nose in the collision. “I knew the throw was on line and I saw the catcher with the ball, but I knew I had to score no matter what.”

Said Loyola Coach Raul Olivas: “I’ve seen enough baseball to know that happens. A guy drops the ball and umpire doesn’t see it. He had to ask for help. So there’s nothing I can do. It’s not something you can protest. Helpless is a good word.”

Before Puccinelli’s single, Notre Dame Coach Tom Dill said he had given up hope. The Knights entered the seventh with only one hit.

“I was trying to think of things to say in my postgame talk,” Dill said. “I was thinking about the seniors and their careers. To go from that to this pure excitement is incredible.”

Morell, making his first Mission League start, had two hits and a walk in the leadoff spot. Boyd, the usual leadoff hitter, injured his shoulder in a collision at home plate in a 6-5 loss to Loyola on Tuesday.