BASEBALL: O'Donnell, Larson Lead SHP to Quarters

The Sacred Heart Prep baseball team is off to the Central Coast Section Division III quarterfinals after defeating visiting Harbor 4-2 in an opener on Wednesday.

The Gators (17-11) were limited to four hits against No. 10 seed Harbor (12-14) but made them count.

With the game tied in the third inning, Tomas O’Donnell highlighted a two-run frame by blasting his sixth home run of the season.

O’Donnell, who has only played 17 games, collected two hits and three RBIs.

The No. 7 seed Gators also received a strong performance from Jack Larson, who picked up his sixth win.

With the victory, SHP moves on to face Carmel (25-3), a traditional Division III powerhouse, on Saturday at a time and place to be announced. No. 2 seed Carmel defeated visiting Capuchino 9-3 in its opener.

Carmel won three straight CCS championships from 2005-07 before missing the playoffs altogether in back-to-back years.

The Padres returned to the postseason last season and reached the Division III quarterfinals.

Carmel has won 15 games in a row, with its last loss coming on April 6.

SHP has won five of its last six games, with the only loss coming against defending CCS Division III champion and West Bay Athletic League rival Menlo School.

Junior Matt Martella has been stellar at the plate, with a team-best .368 batting average, 12 extra-base hits and 24 RBIs.

O’Donnell, to go along with his six home runs, is batting .340 with 21 RBIs.