Southern Section Baseball Division V Final

Santa Maria St. Joseph vs. Brethren Christian

When--7:30 tonight

Where--Long Beach Blair Field

St. Joseph (28-0)--The Knights, one of the best teams in the state regardless of division, are making their first championship appearance. They have a solid defense, two top junior starting pitchers and an offense that has outscored the opposition, 317-56. The top-seeded team has won its playoff games by scores of 23-0, 6-1, 13-2 and 9-1. Top batters include senior shortstop Chris Hageman (.442, five home runs, 31 runs batted in) and senior left fielder Steven Santana (.370, nine homers, 29 RBIs). Coach Dave Brunell said left-hander Jason Kelly (13-0) will start.

Brethren Christian (22-7)--The Warriors, miffed they couldn’t wrestle the Olympic League title from rival Calvary Chapel, have taken it out on every team they’ve met in the playoffs, winning by scores of 34-0, 8-2, 11-3 and 10-6. Coach Dave Posthuma said senior right-hander Jonathon Rouwenhorst (14-0) will start. Top batters include Rouwenhorst (.470, five homers, 44 RBIs), senior catcher Aaron Ireland (.469, 14 homers, 47 RBIs) and sophomore first baseman Sean Ireland (.417, four homers, 26 RBIs).

Key to the game--Rouwenhorst will have to be the best pitcher St. Joseph has faced in the playoffs. At least he’ll have to keep the Warriors from falling behind by too much too early.