Gray Drops Crespi With Heavy Heart

VAN NUYS — Inspired by the memory of his grandfather who died Monday afternoon, Chaminade High pitcher Chris Gray turned in an emotional, courageous effort Tuesday, defeating Crespi, 3-1, in 10 innings in a Mission League game at Valley College.

“This was for him,” said Gray (6-0), who pitched a complete game. “I was real close [to] him. I was thinking about him from beginning to end and I’ll probably still be thinking of him for a long time.”

The right-hander with a submarine delivery allowed just seven hits with a walk and a strikeout. He needed just 75 pitches and did not allow more than one hit in an inning after Crespi (14-7, 5-2 in league play) scored an earned run in the third.

The death of Gray’s grandfather is the second tragedy for Chaminade (18-1, 4-1) in as many weeks.

On April 11, Chaminade sophomore Shannon Simons, a cheerleader at the school and girlfriend of junior varsity baseball player Jordan Hoff, died in a car accident.

The Chaminade players dedicated their season to Simons and some wear patches on their uniforms and white tape around their ankles as a tribute.

“The team feels strong about dedicating the season to her,” Gray said. “Now I have something more for inspiration on a personal level.”

Chaminade, which tied the game, 1-1, on Dan Dworski’s run-scoring single in the seventh, scored twice in the top of the tenth. A two-out double by Chris Martinez scored pinch-runner R.T. Grich and Gray followed with a single to score Martinez.

“My goal was to win this game no matter what,” Gray said. “Thinking of [my grandfather] was the main thing that pushed me to finish. I was scared the whole time, but the team came through at the right time.”

Gray’s inspired performance overshadowed a fine effort by Crespi’s Brian Felten, who pitched eight innings, allowed just four hits and struck out six.

Gray and Felten will be teammates at Loyola Marymount University next season.

* BASEBALL ROUNDUP: C15