Walk-Off Win Sends Santa Margarita Past Los Alamitos in CIF-SS Division 1 Quarterfinals (2025)

Rancho Santa Margarita – Eagle Field

A tightly contested CIF-SS Division 1 quarterfinal matchup between Santa Margarita and Los Alamitos ended in dramatic fashion on Friday, as Warren Gravely IV delivered a walk-off single to lift the Eagles to a 5-4 win over the Griffins. With the score tied in the bottom of the seventh, Gravely lined a base hit to right field, bringing home Aramis Perez from third and sending Santa Margarita into the semifinals.

The Eagles jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning behind an RBI double from Gavin Spiridonoff and an RBI single by Ben Finnegan. Los Alamitos responded in the top of the third after a walk by Wyatt Joyce and a Santa Margarita throwing error allowed two runs to score, tying the game at 2-2.

In the fifth, Los Alamitos briefly took a 3-2 lead thanks to a clutch RBI single from Kaden Carrion, only for Santa Margarita to even things up again in the bottom half when Carter Enoch ripped a double to right, plating Spiridonoff. The Eagles added another run in the sixth on a solo home run by Luke Blanchard to go up 4-3, but Los Alamitos didn’t go away. Sutton Deninno answered with a solo shot of his own in the top of the seventh to tie the game once more and set the stage for Gravely’s walk-off moment.

With the win, Santa Margarita advances to the semifinals of Division 1, while Los Alamitos’ impressive playoff run comes to a close.

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Pitching

Tristan Dalzel got the start for the Griffins and battled through 3.2 innings, allowing five hits and two runs while striking out four. Ryan Deck and Logan Anderson pitched in relief, with Anderson being tagged with the loss after surrendering the game-winning hit. Easton Coffman also saw a brief appearance.

Santa Margarita’s staff was led by Hayden George, who went three innings, allowing four hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out five. Chris Saucedo and Ethan Russell provided middle-inning relief, and Brennan Bauer closed it out with one inning of work to seal the victory.

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Batting

Los Alamitos tallied six hits on the day, with Carrion going 3-for-4 and driving in one. Devin Porch added a double and a run scored, while Deninno’s solo homer in the seventh was his lone hit but nearly forced extra innings. Joyce and Porch each swiped a base as the Griffins put pressure on the Eagles throughout.

Santa Margarita’s offense racked up 12 hits. Spiridonoff (2-for-4), Finnegan (2-for-3), and Gravely (2-for-3) all contributed multiple hits, with each notching an RBI. Blanchard’s go-ahead solo blast in the sixth was his only plate appearance, but it was a pivotal swing. The Eagles showed great discipline and execution, turning three key double plays defensively to halt Los Alamitos rallies.

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What’s next

Santa Margarita advances to the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals and will face Crespi on Tuesday, May 27. The win over Los Alamitos marked the Eagles’ third straight postseason victory over a Sunset League opponent, having previously defeated Huntington Beach and Newport Harbor in back-to-back rounds.