5/11/17
Lowell baseball wins AAA title for fifth consecutive year

Starting pitcher Joe Solomon led the way for the Cardinals. He threw a complete-game shutout, allowing just two hits while striking out seven. He peppered the strikezone, mixing in fastballs and breaking balls to keep Washington off balance.

“Our game plan all year has been to put the ball in play,” said Washington Head Coach Brian Jenson. “Seven strikeouts was a little too much.”

Washington’s precise defense wasn’t enough to beat the baserunners from Lowell early, allowing the Cardinals an early lead after a single in the bottom of the first plated Montana Phroupraseut.

The second score came during the fourth when Washington believed the inning was over after converting a double play. The Eagles left the field for the dugout — believing the inning was over — not realizing a Lowell player was standing on second. Jacob Tang easily scored as Washington celebrated.

For Solomon, blanking his rival in the biggest moment was something he’d thought about for a long time. The two schools have held the AAA championship title for the last six years.

“This is the perfect way to end the San Francisco CIF season,” said Solomon, a senior. “This is a dream I have had, beating Washington at AT&T and throwing a shut out.”

Solomon has signed to play at the University of Pacific in the fall.

With the win, the Cardinals will play the Transbay Series against Oakland Technical High School on Monday.

Semien believes they have a good shot going into the series.

“We are going to play Lowell baseball and with 30 years of success we don’t need to change much,” he said.