Xavier Allen’s walk‑off hit in the seventh inning sparked a 6‑5 victory for Carson High School over Garfield, sending the Colts into the semifinals of the L.A. City Section Open Division.
A Walk‑Off for the Ages
Carson had jumped out to a 2‑0 lead in the first inning, but pitcher Patrick Volaski initially struggled, surrendering three runs in the top of the second before regaining his footing and guiding the team deep into the game.
Mid‑Game Turnaround
Nate Ruan tied the contest with an inside‑the‑park home run, and Luis Acosta’s two‑run double put Garfield ahead 5‑3, only for Juno Carillo’s RBI single to narrow the gap to 5‑4.
Jayden Fernandez, who entered as a pinch‑runner for Ruan, never stopped sprinting after a groundout by Skylar Vinson, ultimately crossing the plate to knot the score at 5‑5 in the fourth.
Clutch Defense and Coach’s Praise
The tie held until Allen’s decisive swing sent the ball into left‑center, allowing Martinez to score the winning run and cap a dramatic comeback. Coach Michael Kunipo‑Aguirre lauded the team’s resilience, noting how Volaski’s recovery and the defense’s late‑inning shutdown by Josiah Ripley set the stage for the walk‑off.
Looking Ahead to the Semifinals
Carson will meet either Birmingham High School or Banning High School in the semifinals, a rematch that could echo Allen’s walk‑off heroics from last season’s Division I playoff semifinal.