Baseball: Santa Clarita Valley will show pride in Hart-Saugus semifinal

The Santa Clarita Valley has been a hotbed for baseball, and on Tuesday, two of its own, Hart and Saugus, will play in a Southern Section Division 1 semifinal playoff game at 2 p.m. at College of the Canyons for the right to advance to Saturday’s championship game at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino.

Both teams are from the Foothill League, and when they have played this season, the games have been close and long.

On April 1, they played to a 2-2 tie that lasted 13 innings. On May 12, Hart won, 4-2, in eight innings.

Both teams have had exceptional pitching during the playoffs. Hart pitchers have two shutouts. Saugus pitchers have two shutouts.

Hart’s Paul Richan will get the start on the mound against Saugus’ Chase Wheatcroft, but both teams will have plenty of pitchers available.

Adding to the intrigue is that Hart has graduation ceremonies the same evening at College of the Canyons.

Hart Coach Jim Ozella intends to tell his seniors, “Make sure you have everything in the car because us and Saugus tend to not play quick games.”

In other words, bring the caps and gowns to the game.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer