Granada Hills baseball falls to Carson in City Open Division semifinals

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LOS ANGELES — The Granada Hills Charter baseball team has been knocking at the proverbial door of a deep City Section postseason run for three years. Two years ago, the Highlanders were seeded No. 1 but were bounced in the opening round of the playoffs. Last year, it happened again. Both times winning the West Valley League, but having nothing to show for it.

This year, the Highlanders were able to get past the opening round, but fell short in the City Open Division semifinals to Carson 3-2 at USC’s Dedeaux Field Wednesday night.

Carson, who erased two one-run deficits to beat Granada Hills, will take on Birmingham in the Open final at Dodger Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m.

The final out.

Carson beats Granada Hills 3-2 and will take on Birmingham Saturday in the City Open final at Dodger Stadium at 1 p.m.

Carson was down 1-0, 2-1 and came back to win 3-2. Tough team. pic.twitter.com/r5qNHvsFXY

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) May 25, 2023

Granada Hills’ Easton Hawk hit an RBI triple to deep right centerfield in the first inning to score Jackson Lyons to give the Highlanders a 1-0 lead. Carson responded in the fourth inning when Jojo Olloque’s ground ball scored Dylan Mares to tie the game at one apiece.

The Highlanders regained the lead on a sacrifice bunt from Jack Donohoe to score Juan Tirado in the bottom of the fourth to make it 2-1. Carson tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the sixth inning when Ryan Camacho laid a bunt down to score Josh Montes. Granada Hills had a stretch when it walked four of five batters in the sixth inning, which led to an RBI walk from Aiden Brasher with the  bases loaded to give the Colts a 3-2 lead.

Hawk was a bright spot for Granada Hills, going 3 for 4 with a triple, double and single.