LCA too much for Ireton in VISAA quarterfinals, 5-2

Cardinals' Ben Judd (10) hits during Ireton's 5-2 season-ending game with LCA at Frank Mann Field.

Andrew Selby did all he could to give the Bishop Ireton Cardinals a boost, but it wasn’t enough to get past Liberty Christian in the VISAA quarterfinals, as the Cardinals lost 5-2 in seven innings at Frank Mann Field on Tuesday.

It was a good day at the plate for Selby, who went 2-2 and drove in one. He singled in the first and third innings.

Bergin got the win for Liberty Christian. He allowed two runs over five innings. He struck out five, walked two and surrendered six hits.

Liberty Christian was sparked by Clinton and Barrick, who teamed up for four hits and four RBIs.

Liberty Christian jumped on the Cardinals early with a solo home run by Clinton. Liberty Christian pushed across one run in both the third inning and the seventh. In the third, Liberty Christian scored on an RBI double by Barrick, bringing home Bergin.

The Cardinals countered with one run in the bottom of the fourth to cut their deficit to one. A groundout by Cody Hagenston triggered the Ireton comeback, but Bergin worked out of the inning by getting Todd Cunningham to ground out.

Liberty Christian piled on two more runs in the top of the fifth. Barrick kicked things off with a double, scoring Clinton. That was followed up by C Kirkland‘s double, plating Barrick.

A one-run fifth inning helped bring the home team within two. A sacrifice fly by Selby gave the Cardinals hope, closing the margin to 4-2, before Bergin got Nick Tangora to ground out to end the threat.