CARY, N.C. - Orange Lutheran High School (Orange, Calif.) was crowned the 2017 USA Baseball National High School Invitational (NHSI) Champions on Saturday, April 1st, after defeating Dana Hills HS (Dana Point, Calif.) 3-2.
The Lancers opened up scoring in the second inning with a Sawyer Chesley RBI double. Dana Hills answered in the top of the third with two walks and two hits, including a Joe DeBeca RBI single to tie the game 2-2.
But the runs stopped coming for Dana Hills once Orange Lutheran turned to RHP Zach Busalacchi. Busalacchi shut down the Dolphins, allowing just six hits and one walk in five innings of work.
With the bases loaded and the score still tied in the sixth inning, Orange Lutheran's Josiah Dixson came through with a pinch-hit sac fly to give the Lancers a 3-2 lead.
Dana Hills tried to rally in the seventh inning with two hits but ultimately fell short as a double play ended the game and secured the championship for Orange Lutheran. The Dolphins finished the tournament with a 3-1 record.
"To win a championship on this field and this place, you wouldn't believe how special it is," Orange Lutheran Head Coach Eric Borba stated after the game. "For our program, for our school…these guys have worked hard and it means a lot to the whole community around Orange Lutheran High School."
Sophomore shortstop Zachary Waters (1-for-3, one walk) made quite a few crucial plays to keep Dana Hills in the game. Waters drew a one-out-walk to put the Dolphins in scoring position with a threat to tie the game in the seventh inning. Orange Lutheran's senior starter Nicholas Janowicz was perfect through the first two innings before Busalacchi finished the remaining five.
WP: Busalacchi, 5 IP, 6 hits, 0 runs, 0 earned runs, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
LP: Tamaddon, 5 IP, 4 hits, 3 runs, 2 earned runs, 3 walks
Dana Hills: 2 runs, 6 hits, 1 error J. Matthews 1-4, RBI
Orange Lutheran: 3 runs, 4 hits, 1 error S. Chesley: 2-2, 2 doubles, 2 RBI E. Buries: 1-1, stolen base