SANTA ANA, CA—Less than a year ago, JSerra HS, CA, saw its shortstop—Royce Lewis—get selected first overall in the 2017 MLB Draft. Now that he’s in pro ball, a new shortstop has stepped in and is already a hero for the Lions. 2019 SS Michael Curriale, a UCLA recruit, earned MVP honors at the 2018 Boras Classic South and proved to be the difference in the 2-1 championship win over La Mirada HS, CA. With the game tied 1-1 in the fifth, Curriale deposited an offspeed pitch over the wall in left field, his second of the tournament, to give JSerra the lead.

La Mirada opened the scoring in the top of the third. OF Sawyer Smith was hit by a pitch and moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt. A groundout to second moved him to third and he scored on a passed ball. JSerra immediately threatened in the bottom of the third, loading the bases with no outs on a double, walk and single, but La Mirada managed to escape with a shallow flyout, force out at the plate and weak pop-up.

The Lions were able to get on the board in the fifth when they loaded the bases and the Matadors went to the pen. That’s when head coach Brett Kay decided to put on the suicide squeeze. OF Christian Rodrigues squared around and got the bunt as 1B Blake Klassen broke for the plate, tying the game at 1-1. In the fifth, Curriale put JSerra up for good with his bomb.

A one-run lead was all 2019 RHP Andrew Miller needed, as he held a talented La Mirada lineup to just one hit. He allowed one unearned run and walked two whiles striking out five.