SOUTHERN SECTION BASEBALL / DIVISION III : Santa Margarita Powers Its Way Into Title Game

Santa Margarita’s romp through the Southern Section Division III playoffs continued as the Eagles blasted Ontario Chaffey, 10-3, in the semifinals Tuesday at Saddleback College.

Santa Margarita, which has scored 43 runs in the playoffs, advanced to the final against defending champion La Quinta Saturday at Anaheim Stadium.

“The kids are the reason we’re here,” Eagle Coach Tip Lefebvre said. “I just sit back and enjoy it.”

The Eagles (22-7), who have won 12 consecutive games, trailed 2-1 in the third but scored four runs that inning and five more in the fourth to take command.

“We’re a good hitting ball club,” Lefebvre said. “They had one bad inning where they made a couple mistakes and our kids took advantage.”

The third inning was keyed by Chris Markey’s three-run homer, which put Santa Margarita ahead to stay, 5-2. Markey lined a one-strike pitch over the left-field fence and scored behind Paul Nicotra and Chris Tessman.

Santa Margarita started off the fourth in the same fashion, scoring five runs on four hits and three Tiger errors.

With one out, Brian Griffin reached base on a bunt to third. Mike Penny followed with a single to left and Nicotra loaded the bases on a grounder to shortstop Mike Rodriguez, who overthrew first on the relay. Fritz Maskrey then reached first when he grounded to third and Chaffey catcher Isaiah Granadas dropped the throw to the plate, allowing Griffin to score.

Tessman followed with his second double, scoring Penny and Nicotra, to put Santa Margarita up, 8-2. Maskrey added another run, scoring from third on a wild pitch and Tessman scored the final Eagle run when Granadas overthrew pitcher George Ibarra.

Santa Margarita pitcher Justin Parker went five innings, giving up three hits and two runs. Parker gave up a home run to Rodriguez in the top of the first and Williams scored in the third on an RBI single by Rodriguez.