Chaminade Strikes Out Crespi, 7-6 : Baseball: Davis’ throw cuts down tying run at home to end Mission League opener.

VAN NUYS — Tomy Salazar’s run-scoring single unfortunately was that and nothing more for Crespi High.

Salazar’s seventh-inning, bases-loaded line drive into left field drove in Andy Campanella from third base. However, pinch-runner Eric Gerencher, attempting to score from second with two out, was thrown out at the plate and Chaminade hung on for a 7-6 victory in a Mission League opener Wednesday at Valley College.

Scott Davis fielded Salazar’s drive cleanly and fired a one-hop strike that reached catcher Ryan Hamill just ahead of Gerencher.

“All week we work on fundamentals and hitting the cutoff man and making routine plays,” Chaminade Coach Denny Barrett said. “(Davis) did it right out of the book.”

The book on Chaminade right-hander Gabe Crecion wasn’t as impressive.

Crecion, a hard-throwing senior and one of the area’s top pitchers, wobbled in the second inning after the Eagles (4-0) built a 6-0 lead.

Crecion, who pitched a two-hitter against Palisades last week, retired the side in order in the first but gave up two singles and walked five batters in the second as Crespi (1-4) scored four runs. Crecion walked three with the bases full.

“I couldn’t find the plate,” said Crecion, whose double scored Hamill in the fifth. “I don’t really know why. My arm is a little tender, but that’s no excuse.”

Chaminade stayed in the game on solid relief pitching by Scott Shubeck and Brandon Gray. Shubeck (1-0) halted Crespi’s rally in the second and did not allow a hit in 2 1/3 innings. Gray, who gave up a run-scoring single to Barry Mathews in the fifth, allowed five hits but avoided further damage with the help of inning-ending double plays in the fifth and sixth. Chaminade turned three double plays.

Crespi’s Barry Mathews (0-1) was chased in the second after Franco Leonor’s run-scoring double capped a four-run rally.