CARY, N.C. – Louis Rodriguez tossed a complete-game shutout and Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.) battled past Basic Academy (Henderson, Nev.) 2-0 in a defensive battle at the USA Baseball National High School Invitational (NHSI) presented by the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance.

Both teams combined for four double plays in the quarterfinal matchup and the game featured stellar play from infielders and outfielders alike. Ultimately, the Lancers came up with the clutch hits in the first and fifth innings from Casey Borba and Karson Bowen, respectively, to move on to the semifinals on Friday.

The starting pitchers fought back and forth all night. Orange Lutheran starter Rodriguez picked up the complete-game victory after striking out three and surrendering no walks in his seven-inning outing. Ben Smith was strong on the mound for Basic Academy as well, also striking out three on the night; but he gave up two walks and two runs for the loss.

Only two batters tallied multiple hits in the game: Orange Lutheran’s Ben Reiland (2-for-3) and Basic Academy’s Mason Neville (2-for-3).

Orange Lutheran advances to face Marjory Stoneman Douglas (Parkland, Fla.) in the second semifinal on Friday evening. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Coleman Field at the USA Baseball National Training Complex. The game will be streamed live on USABaseball.com, USA Baseball’s Facebook page, and its YouTube channel, @USABaseballTV.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• Casey Borba opened the scoring for Orange Lutheran in the top of the first inning, pushing a ball deep into the left-center gap for an RBI-double that scored Karson Bowen from second base.
• Orange Lutheran kickstarted a two-out rally thanks to a Richard Tejeda single to right field. Sawyer Voortman came on to run for Tejeda and immediately advanced to second on a bunt single by Derek Curiel before Karson Bowen’s RBI-single to left field helped him cross the plate to put the Lancers up 2-0.

NOTABLE INFORMATION

• Louis Rodriguez earned the victory on the mound for Orange Lutheran after striking out three in a six-hit, complete-game shutout.
• Basic Academy’s Ben Smith suffered the loss, giving up two runs on seven hits in six innings. Smith also struck out three batters on the night.
• Mason Neville led the Basic Academy offense with a 2-for-3 evening.
• Ben Reiland was the only Lancer hitter with multiple hits on the night, going 2-for-3.
• Casey Borba tallied the only extra-base hit in the game with an RBI-double in the first inning.

ON DECK

• Orange Lutheran advances to the semifinals of the 2022 National High School Invitational on Friday. The Lancers will face Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The semifinal will be streamed live on USABaseball.com, the USA Baseball Facebook page and its YouTube page, @USABaseballTV.
• Basic Academy falls into the consolation bracket with the loss. Their next opponent will be announced this evening.

SOCIAL MEDIA

• Stay tuned with all the action at the 2022 National High School Invitational by follow @USABEvents on Twitter and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Fans and media can use #NHSI22 in their posts.