VALLEY ROUNDUP : Defensive Lapses in 7th Spoil Rosselli’s 2-Hit Gem as Alemany Loses, 2-1

Despite a sterling pitching performance by left-handed ace Joey Rosselli, Alemany High lapsed defensively in the bottom of the seventh inning Monday and lost to Servite, 2-1, in the second round of the St. Paul tournament at Blair Field in Long Beach.

Rosselli (5-2), a professional prospect who has signed a letter of intent to play baseball and football at Arizona State, held Servite to two singles.

Only one other ball--a fly out--was hit out of the infield.

Rosselli had a no-hitter through 6 1/3 innings, but he gave up a walk and a single to begin the seventh. With one out, an infield error loaded the bases.

Cliff Mierendorf followed with a ground ball that dribbled up the middle for a single that scored the two decisive runs.

“I tried to come out and bear down a little bit and things just don’t work out,” Rosselli said. “You lose a game like that and you kinda feel like you’re not there.”

Alemany (9-10) took a 1-0 lead in the seventh when Jaime Olivares scored on a squeeze bunt by Dave Castillo.

Although he threw just two pitches--both balls--Rob Walker (3-2) was credited with the victory for Servite (13-5). Walker, who relieved Mierendorf with two out in the seventh, picked off an Alemany baserunner at first to end the threat.

In another St. Paul tournament game:

Mater Dei 4, Crespi 0--Mater Dei’s Jason Dietrich held Crespi to one hit--a bunt single--in a second-round game.

Dietrich, a right-hander, relied on an overpowering fastball to fluster Crespi batters.

“He only threw about nine or 10 breaking balls all game,” said Crespi Coach Scott Muckey. “He pretty much threw (the fastball) right by us.”

With Crespi trailing, 4-0, Mike Peters broke up the no-hitter with a leadoff bunt in the fifth. The Celts (11-6-1) loaded the bases with two out in the inning, but the threat ended on a ground out.

HIGH SCHOOL GOLF

Hoover 236, Glendale 255--Glendale’s Clarissa Childs, the only girl competing in the Pacific League match, fired a six-over-par 43 to take low-medalist honors at Oakmont Country Club.

COLLEGE BASEBALL

Christ College 7, The Master’s 6--The Mustangs, who relinquished an early 4-0 advantage, mounted a ninth-inning rally but were unable to recover in a NAIA District 3 game at Christ College in Irvine.

With Master’s trailing, 7-4, Craig Johnson was hit by a pitch to lead off the ninth. Russ Henzie walked and Mark MacArthur singled home Johnson. Jeff Preston walked to load the bases with none out.

The Master’s (19-19, 9-9 in District 3 play) was unable to capitalize, as the next three batters were retired.

Preston had a double and a three-run home run.

COLLEGE SOFTBALL

Canyons 9, Antelope Valley 0--Jill Greenwood was two for two including a three-run triple to lead visiting Canyons (18-16) in a nonconference game.

Michelle Ruffner (16-14) gave up only one hit over five innings. She struck out four and walked none before being relieved by Rebecca Schuster, who completed the shutout. Angie Gorski added two hits for Canyons.