Gators claim Ocean on Sweeney's shutout

Kyle Sweeney allowed two hits, while striking out 10 in a 4-0 victory over visiting Woodside that clinched for the Gators the PAL-Ocean Division crown.

"This is amazing," said Sacred Heart coach Sean McMillan. "It feels great to be the outright champs."

After the final out was recorded, the first-base dugout emptied, and a massive celebration ensued in front of the pitcher's mound. This one was special. Sacred Heart, which was moved down from the Bay Division this season, put together a magical season where they were pushed by San Mateo, Half Moon Bay and Terra Nova down the stretch.

"Like we've done all year, every game matters, " McMillan said. "We're prided ourselves on playing our best baseball in May. We're grateful to be in the position we're in and are proud of what we've accomplished.

"Step One is done."

The Gators will now await the results of Monday's selection meeting to find out where they'll be slotted in the Central Coast Section tournament, which begins May 23.

The last time the Gators won the Ocean, they were slotted into the CCS-Division III bracket. They played several Bay Division teams and opened the year against Serra. Wherever they end up, the Gators will be excited.

"As long as we get a home game, I'll be happy," McMillan said. "I think all league champions deserve a home game."

Sweeney was downright dominant once again on Thursday, McMillan said.

"He was lights out," McMillan said of the junior southpaw's 98-pitch performance where he allowed just three base runners. "He was super-efficient and overpowering. He put the stamp on the best staff the school has ever had and one of the best on the Peninsula."

Sacred Heart scored a run in the first and broke it open with three in the fifth. Nico Pollioni has two hits, scored two runs and drove in another, while also stealing a base.

Colin Beim had two hits and two stolen bases, while Isaac Aviles had a pair of singles.

W: Sweeney | L: Ball | S: 2 hits- Pollioni (SHP), Beim (SHP), Aviles (SHP). 2B- Tinson (W), Parker (SHC).

Half Moon Bay 8, Terra Nova 2

The Cougars took care of business by closing the regular season with nine straight wins and now will wait until Monday to see if that's enough to land them a place in the CCS tournament.

Half Moon Bay finished the season in a second-place tie with San Mateo in the Ocean Division, two games behind Sacred Heart Prep. The Ocean Division has two guaranteed CCS berths, but there's the chance for an at-large bid.

Sophomore Paxton Holden put together his second straight complete-game victory, scattering seven hits while striking out five.

Meanwhile, Cole Giannnini had two hits, including a triple, and drove in two runs, while Jacob Couto had two hits and Riley Jackson had two RBI.

Senior catcher Joey Donati, playing his final game in a Terra Nova uniform, had three hits, including a double.

W: Holden | L: James | 3 hits- Donati (TN). 2 hits- Couto (HMB). C.Giannini (HMB). 2 RBI- Jackson (HMB), C. Giannini (HMB). 3B- C.Giannini (HMB). 2B- Snead (TN), Donati (TN), Couto (HMB).

Aragon 4, San Mateo 1

Alex Gosselin allowed a run on six hits in going the distance to pick up the victory for the Dons, who put a bow on a winning season in coach John Rally's first season at the helm.

The victory allowed Aragon to finish with 15 wins, while San Mateo fell to 19-8 and in a tie for second place in the Ocean Division with Half Moon Bay. The Bearcats did sweep a series from Half Moon Bay in early April.

The CCS baseball committee will sort it out on Monday.

Gosselin struck out three on Thursday, while walking two in a 100-pitch effort.

Meanwhile, the Bearcats pitching struggled with its control. It issued seven walks, including four by Tyce Copus in one inning of relief for starter Christian Louie, who struck out eight in four innings of work.

Xavier Ruiz had two hits for the Dons.

W: Gosselin | L: Louie | 2 hits- Ruiz (A). 2B- Matye (A).

Mills 2, South San Francisco 1, 8 innings

Junior Tino Janke saved his best for last, scattering seven hits over eight innings to allow the Vikings to avoid going winless in the Ocean Division season.

Ethan Wong, Hagan Chan and Tyler Yuan had two hits each for Mills, which tied the game in the bottom of the sixth before walking it off in the bottom of the eighth.

Emelio Oseguera went six innings for the Warriors and allowed just one run, while walking three and striking out four.

Diego Carranza had two hits for South City.

W: Janke | L: V.Bernal | 2 hits- Tejada (SSF), Wong (M), Yuan (M), Chan (M). 2B- Carranza (SSF), Tejada (SSF).