Tars end playoff drought

NEWPORT BEACH — The Newport Harbor High baseball team clinched its first CIF playoff berth since 1990 by winning its Sunset League finale 6-1 against Edison Thursday at Newport Harbor.

Newport Harbor’s win, coupled with Fountain Valley’s loss to Esperanza, meant both the Sailors and Barons finish 6-9 in league. However, the Sailors (16-10) earn the league’s third-place spot because they beat Fountain Valley in two out of three head-to-head meetings.

Tars senior Jack Grace threw a complete-game two-hitter against the league champion Chargers, picking up his first victory of the season. He struck out one, walked three and also hit a batter.

Richie Lowery was two for two with three RBIs for Newport Harbor, Ryan Albert had a two-RBI single and Blake Davey added a sacrifice fly.

“That’s been our mantra all year, to get back to the playoffs,” first-year Coach Patrick Murphy said. “We’re pumped.”

The Sailors will learn of their first-round opponent when the Division I draw is released Monday.

— From staff reports