'Today wasn't our day': Mission Oak falls to Independence in baseball semifinal

TULARE − Mission Oak’s run in the 2024 Central Section Division IV high school baseball playoffs ended on May 21 in the semifinals.

Independence’s David Baralt hit a two-out, two-run single with the bases loaded in the fifth inning and the No. 7 Falcons held on to beat third-ranked Mission Oak 2-0.

Independence starting pitcher Isaac Lopez tossed a complete-game shutout. He hurled two strikeouts and allowed six hits. Lopez did not issue a walk until the seventh inning and did not surrender a single hit in the final three frames.

The Falcons (16-15) will now play No. 1 Liberty-Madera Ranchos (29-2) for the section title on May 25 at noon at Visalia Rawhide's Valley Strong Ballpark.

Mission Oak (15-15) stranded seven runners and was shut out for just the third time this season.

The Hawks, who entered the postseason showdown on a three-game win streak, reached the semifinal round for the first time in seven years.

"Very proud of these kids," Mission Oak head coach Kevin Break said. "They battled all year. This is the farthest Mission Oak has gone in the playoffs. Today wasn't our day. The last couple of games, those were our games. But today, it wasn't our day."

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Mission Oak was anchored by a strong senior class this season — headlined by starters Zy Ramirez (pitcher), Kannon Silva (lead-off hitter/second baseman), Korey Barham (first baseman) and Kaden Epps (left fielder).

Ramirez kept the Mission Oak in the game. He fired seven strikeouts in five innings and also hit a lead-off double in the second but the Hawks could not capitalize and turn that hit into a run.

"Hats off to Zy Ramirez," Break said. "That kid, he pitched a helluva game. He's been our stud from day one all year. I feel for these seniors. They worked hard all year and this was their last game."

Silva led off the first with a single and went 1-for-3 hitting. Barham had a single in the third.

This year's senior class helped Mission Oak average 15 wins per season since the 2022 campaign. During that stretch, the Hawks have won 46 games, including four in the playoffs.

"It's good to see the senior class step up and be leaders," Break said. "People jumped on their backs and basically, they take the lead on everything. Those two, Zy and Kannon, those two have actually stepped up big for us, senior-class-wise. Korey Barham, another guy and leader, has been swinging the bat well lately."

More: 2024 CIF Central Section softball playoff scoreboard: Mission Oak earns trip to semifinals

Mission Oak is expected to return five players next season who were in the starting lineup against Independence:

• Right fielder Nick Retiz

• Shortstop Gave Hastin

• Catcher Eddy Bravo

• Centerfielder Owen Thompson

• Third baseman Luke Vieira

Retiz, Hastin, Thompson and Vieira are juniors. Bravo is a sophomore. The Hawks also had three freshmen on the varsity level this season.

"Next year, I don't think we skip a beat," Break said. "We got some young guys. We got three freshmen. We got juniors who are good. I don't think we're going to skip a beat next year. We'll be back next year in the same spot."

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Mission Oak falls to Independence in baseball semifinal