MALIBU — Birmingham baseball is headed to Dodger Stadium after beating Carson 3-0 in the CIF Los Angeles City Section Open Division semifinals on Tuesday afternoon.
The second-seeded Patriots (19-10-1) will be going to the Open final for the second year in a row. They defeated Carson in last year’s title game.
The Patriots will play Bell on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Dodger Stadium. Bell defeated Granada Hills 1-0 in the other semifinal.
The game Tuesday at Eddy D. Field Stadium on the Pepperdine campus held twofold special meaning for Birmingham starting pitcher Allen Olmos.
Birmingham’s starting pitcher Allen Olmos is congratulated as they face Carson in a CIF Los Angeles City Section Open Division semifinal game May 21, 2024. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Birmingham’s J.B Dalumpines is tagged out at home by Carson catcher Johnny Munoz during their CIF Los Angeles City Section Open Division semifinal game May 21, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Andrew Valdez scores for Birmingham during a three run inning against Carson during their CIF Los Angeles City Section Open Division semifinal game May 21, 2024. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Birmingham’s Sebastian Valdez steals second as Carson’s Juno Carillo tries to catch the ball in a CIF Los Angeles City Section Open Division semifinal game May 21, 2024. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Carson’s Noah Gomez comes up short on a diving catch which led to a 2-run triple for Birmingham in their CIF Los Angeles City Section Open Division semifinal game May 21, 2024. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Birmingham’s Julius Truitt reacts after hitting a pinch hit triple that scored two runs against Carson in a CIF Los Angeles City Section Open Division semifinal game May 21, 2024. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Birmingham’s Carlos Esparza makes a catch on a blooper to left field against Carson in a CIF Los Angeles City Section Open Division semifinal game May 21, 2024. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Birmingham’s pitcher Michael Figueroa celebrates after an inning ending play against Carson in a CIF Los Angeles City Section Open Division semifinal game May 21, 2024. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Birmingham’s Sebastian Valadez steals second as Carson’s Juno Carillo tries to catch the ball in a CIF Los Angeles City Section Open Division semifinal game May 21, 2024. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Birmingham players celebrate after beating Carson in their CIF Los Angeles City Section Open Division semifinal game May 21, 2024 at Pepperdine. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Carson’s Noah Gomez comes up short on a diving catch which led to a 2-run triple for Birmingham in their CIF Los Angeles City Section Open Division semifinal game May 21, 2024. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
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The junior missed last season’s championship game due to two slipped discs in his back, and the recovery limited his mobility. His dad is also part of the grounds crew at Pepperdine and is in charge of irrigation.
“I’ve always wanted to play here because my dad works here,” Olmos said. “I’ve always come out here to watch them play and I’ve always dreamed of playing here.”
Olmos, the Patriots’ No. 2 pitcher, gave up five hits and walked two while recording five strikeouts in five innings of work. Michael Figueroa came in and struck out two hitters in two innings of relief.
Birmingham forced Carson (21-9) to go three up, three down in the second and third innings while it scored three runs in the bottom of the second.
@haleymsawyer Birmingham baseball is going back to the City Section Open Division championship game. #journalist #reporter #baseball #sports #highschoolbaseball #highschoolsports #vannuys #sanfernandovalley #malibu
Nick Penaranda was walked and Ernesto Martinez singled to get two men on base, then Julius Truitt tripled to drive both of them in. Truitt crossed home plate on a failed hidden ball trick by Carson.
“He absolutely clutched up and did an unbelievable job,” Birmingham head coach Matt Mowry said of Truitt. “And then to be heads up enough to see the ball thrown away and take off, that’s just the type of player he is.”
Truitt is a freshman who was called up from the JV team ahead of the playoffs.
“It’s a lot to handle, especially because I’m a freshman and it’s a big moment,” Truitt said. “It’s unusual, but I’m handling it pretty well.”
The Colts loaded the bases in the top of the fourth inning but couldn’t bring any runs in.
The middle of the Carson lineup came up big as Johnny Muñoz, Sergio Padilla and Ryan Camacho all singled before Birmingham pitcher Allen Olmos struck out Isaac Gutierrez for the third out of the inning.
Cason put two runners on base in the top of the sixth inning but again left them stranded. Aidan Brasher was walked and Sergio Padilla reached first on a fielder’s choice.
The Patriots recorded three outs in the top of the seventh inning to punch their ticket to Dodger Stadium.
“You play all season and all offseason for that,” Mowry said. “Your ultimate goal is getting there and it’s not easy. It’s a lot of hard work and these kids have put it in.”
