Live Oak bends but doesn’t break to advance in CCS Playoffs

San Lorenzo Valley loaded the bases three times against Live Oak on Wednesday, and only had one run to show for it.
Michael Porras, meanwhile, worked out of all three jams to give his team a chance and the combo of Justin Sanders and Kyle Riveron made sure his efforts held up.
The Acorns defeated San Lorenzo Valley 2-1 in the opening round of the Central Coast Section Division II playoffs and now will face No. 14 Aragon at Sacred Heart Prep on Saturday.
Despite giving up four hits and five walks, Porras left 11 SLV runners stranded on base.
In the first and third innings, he did it by striking out the final two hitters of each frame.
Porras finished with six strikeouts in his four innings of work, giving up just one run.
Meanwhile, the Live Oak offense was battling just as hard and came away with a couple of near misses.
In the fifth inning, Live Oak had runners on first and second with one out before the SLV pitcher induced a double play ball to short.
Live Oak also had John Austin in scoring position in the second inning, but was stranded after a strikeout ended the frame.
The Acorns broke through in the third when PJ Rochon reached on a one out single and stole second. He advanced to third on a single by Josh Alaniz and scored when Sanders hit into a fielder’s choice.
After Riveron singled to put Sanders on second, Austin came through with an RBI single to score Sanders and put Live Oak up 2-0.
Riveron went to third on the play, but a ground ball ended the inning without him scoring.
In the bottom of the fourth, Porras hit Brian Robbins to lead off the inning.
SLV then played small ball, getting Robbins to second on a ground ball to short and to third on a stolen base.
The Cougars then scored when Cody Lipperd hit a ground ball to second.
SLV wasn’t done.
Porras then hit the next batter, gave up a single and finally walked the bases loaded.
Porras got out of the inning with a infield popup.
From there, Porras gave way to Sanders who didn’t allow a runner past second.
The only runner who got past first was on a two-out walk, but Sanders got out of the inning by getting a fly out to center.
After pitching a scoreless fifth and sixth, Riveron came in for the save, striking out the final two batters he faced.
Live Oak will next square off against Aragon who upset No. 3 Soledad, 6-4.
Aragon was the No. 2 team out of the Peninsula Athletic League, Ocean Division with an 18-12 overall record.
First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Prep.