Host St. Francis scored an unearned run in the first inning and made it hold up for a 1-0 victory over Amador Valley in the Elite 8 baseball tournament championship Thursday night.
Senior Michael Strem threw a four-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts and drove home the only run of the game to lead the top-ranked Lancers (17-1) to the title. Senior Jake Dronkers was the hard-luck loser for the Dons (9-3), allowing just an unearned run in the first inning.
Senior Eric Peterson started what proved to be the decisive first-inning rally with a single, one of only three St. Francis hits on the day. Strem hit a ball that was mis-handled by the Amador Valley defense, bringing in Kort Peterson, who had walked, for the only run of the night.
Though the Dons made several attempts to catch up to the Lancers, Strem was equal to the challenge each time. The Dons started a two-out rally in the seventh inning with junior Connor Caspersen reaching base and advancing to third on a single by junior Austin Piscotty.
However, the comeback fell short when senior Nick McGillivray, who had two of the four Amador Valley hits, grounded into a fielder’s choice causing Caspersen to be tagged out at home.
The Lancers will face off against the Bellarmine Bells in a WCAL game Tuesday afternoon. The Dons are back in action against Granada on Wednesday.
