Baseball: Grant Livornese comes through for Mira Costa

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Grant Livornese, a seldom-used designated hitter for Manhattan Beach Mira Costa, got his chance to start on Tuesday in the Southern Section Division 3 semifinals, and he came through with a two-run home run in the seventh inning to lift the Mustangs past Elsinore, 5-3, and earn a trip to Dodger Stadium.

Mira Costa will face Gardena Serra in Friday’s 2 p.m. final. Serra defeated Diamond Bar, 10-2, with Solomon Bates throwing five shutout innings.

In Division 4, Oaks Christian advanced to Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. final at UC Riverside after a 3-0 victory over San Dimas. Spencer Vogelbach threw a four-hitter, striking out seven and walking none. Jack Kruger had two hits.

Oaks Christian will face El Rancho in the final and have ace Phil Bickford on the mound. El Rancho defeated Baldwin Park, 5-4.

-- Eric Sondheimer