Birmingham's hitting coach is Paul Blair Jr., the son of eight-time MLB Gold Glove winner Paul Blair of the Baltimore Orioles from the 1960s and 1970s. Father would have been so proud of his son's pupils Wednesday in a City Section baseball showdown between the Patriots and El Camino Real.
Four times in the decisive fourth inning, Birmingham hitters followed their batting coach's instructions to hit outside pitches to right field for base hits, igniting a four-run inning and leading to a 10-2 victory, pulling the Patriots into a first-place tie with El Camino Real in the West Valley League going a Friday game at Birmingham.
"That's what they're supposed to do," said a proud Blair of the players' hitting adjusment.
Sophomore catcher Jordan Lindsay had the biggest hitting of the fourth, an RBI double down the right-field line to tie the score, 1-1. Ethan Dalumpines followed with RBI single to right field. JuJu Monroe-Truitt and Larkin Fleming also contribued RBI singles to right off Jackson Sellz.
"He's on us at practice to go to the right side," Lindsay said.
Jordan Lindsay RBI double in fourth. Birmingham 1, ECR 1 pic.twitter.com/fEH6bPkkul
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) April 29, 2026
The Patriots blew the game open with a six-run fifth, including an RBI single from Lindsay and one walk and one hit batter with the bases loaded to push across runs. Carlos Acuna threw a complete game. Both teams are seeking a win Friday because the league champion figures to be the No. 1 seed for the City Section Open Division playoffs.
RJ De La Rosa had an RBI single and double for ECR.
Harvard-Westlake 8, Chaminade 0: James Tronstein continued his impressive power display by hitting two home runs, a double and driving in three runs. He has eight home runs on the season. Evan Alexander struck out 10 in five innings.
Norco 1, Corona 0: It took nine innings to settle this Big VIII League showdown with Jayden Serna delivering the walk-off hit in the bottom of the ninth inning. Jordan Ayala threw seven scoreless innings for Norco. Mason Sims gave up one hit in eight innings for Corona.
Sierra Canyon 3, Loyola 2: The Trailblazers won despite home runs from Loyola's Bobby Rapp and Jack Murray.
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 8, Bishop Alemany 3: Benett Pace went four for four and Jacob Madrid homered for the Knights.
Carson 6, Narbonne 5: Nate Ruan and Fernando Barajas each had two hits for Carson.
Edison 4, Corona del Mar 0: Noah Hunter struck out 10 and gave up two hits in six innings for Edison.
Ayala 8, Claremont 0: Easton Sarmiento struck out eight in four innings. Caleb Trugman had three hits.
Huntington Beach 2, Newport Harbor 1: Jared Grindlinger thew his first complete game of the season, striking out seven and walking none. Ely Mason had a home run.
JSerra 13, Santa Margarita 3: The Lions hit four home runs, including another from Blake Bowen, in the Trinity League win. Aidan Rae had three RBIs.
Garfield 10, South East 3: Michael Santillan had four hits for Garfield.
Bell 6, Legacy 1: Jayden Rojas had two hits and four RBIs.