Los Alamitos Shuts Out Orange Lutheran, Sets Up Playoff Clash with Santa Margarita (2025)

Griffins Field, Los Alamitos High School

Tyler Smith’s bat came alive in the clutch as Los Alamitos dominated Orange Lutheran 8-0 in Tuesday’s CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoff matchup. The Griffins, who had been locked in a scoreless battle through four innings, broke things open with a four-run fifth and another four-run burst in the sixth.

Smith played the hero, driving in a game-high four RBIs on two extra-base hits. He delivered the first blow in the bottom of the fifth with a towering triple to deep center that brought home Devin Porch, Kaden Carrion, and James Reveles. One batter later, Damon Valdez tacked on another run with a line-drive single to left, extending the lead to 4-0.

Los Alamitos didn’t stop there. In the sixth, Carrion doubled home two more, then scored on a ringing RBI double from Smith—who would later come around on a second RBI single by Valdez to make it 8-0. That offensive explosion proved more than enough for the Griffins’ trio of pitchers, who combined for a five-hit shutout and did not walk a single batter.

Defensively, Los Al committed zero errors and turned in several clean innings behind the plate. Valdez and Shelley each came through with two hits apiece, while Carrion reached base four times, scoring twice and driving in a pair.

The win moves Los Alamitos deeper into playoff contention and continues their red-hot postseason run with back-to-back shutouts.

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Pitching

Sean Kassawara got the start for the Griffins and threw 4.2 shutout innings, allowing just four hits while striking out two. He was followed by Tristan Dalzel (1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 K) and Logan Anderson (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R), both of whom kept the Lancers off the board to preserve the combined shutout.

Orange Lutheran starter Colt Peterson lasted 4.1 innings, giving up three hits and two earned runs, striking out five but also issuing four walks. The bullpen struggled behind him, surrendering six runs on six hits and two walks.

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Batting

Los Al totaled nine hits on the day. Tyler Smith led the charge, going 2-for-3 with a triple, double, and four RBIs. Damon Valdez also finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs. John Shelley chipped in with two singles. Carrion scored twice and drove in two on a sixth-inning double, and Cade Barnett walked twice and scored a run.

For Orange Lutheran, five players—Akahi, Haros, Hartshorn, Murrietta, and Greis—recorded a hit apiece, but the Lancers were unable to string together any sustained offense.

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Whats’s Next

Los Alamitos advances to the CIF-SS Division 1 Quarterfinals and will take on Santa Margarita on Friday, May 23. While the Eagles are not part of the Sunset League, the matchup still represents a familiar playoff clash—Santa Margarita has already faced two Sunset League opponents (Huntington Beach and Newport Harbor) en route to the quarterfinals. Friday’s showdown now sets up their third consecutive battle against a Sunset League foe, with a coveted spot in the semifinals hanging in the balance.