FOWLER - The task was already formidable enough. But the Kings Christian High Crusaders had to take it on shorthanded.

So it was perhaps no wonder that the Crusaders were overpowered 19-0 by Fowler in the Central Section Division V semifinals Wednesday.

Fifth-seeded Kings Christian (12-9) faced top-seeded Fowler - the No. 1-ranked Division V team in the state - without seniors Sean Kelly, David Wilder and Michael Polder, who all missed the game because of a trip to Hawaii.

"We knew it was going to be hard coming here and playing such a strong team," said Kings Christian coach Keith Thomas, whose Wednesday roster included just 10 players. "We didn't expect the outcome to be what it was though, and with where we are in the season, and with some of our key players being out, we were facing a really hard battle."

Clay Cederquist and Brandon Martinez combined one a one-hitter, and Martinez drove in five runs - all in the fourth inning - as the Redcats (32-2) won their 22nd consecutive game.

Cederquist struck out 11 and walked none, giving up only a double by Eric Hanson in the fourth inning. Martinez struck out two during a hitless seventh inning.

Fowler built a 6-0 lead off Kings Christian starter Phillip Quade, and proceeded to push across 11 runs the fourth.

Martinez belted a two-run triple and a three-run double in the inning and a bad-hop single by Angel Vargas accounted for two more runs.

Quade, the East Sierra League MVP, went 3 1/3 innings and gave up 12 hits. Jacob Sheely pitched the final 2 2/3 for the Crusaders.

Kings Christian had three baserunners. In addition to Hanson's double, John Silva got aboard on a third-inning error and Brandon Hicks was hit by a pitch in the seventh.

Jamie Nunes was 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs, Vargas went 2-for-3 with two runs and four RBIs and Cederquist was 2-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs for the Redcats. Kenny Corona and Josh Poytress added two hits apiece to the Redcats' 16-hit onslaught.

Fowler will host Liberty of Madera Ranchos in the championship game on Friday.

Fowler has lost just one game to a section opponent, a 7-3 setback to Fresno on Feb. 27. The Redcats' other defeat was a 6-1 decision Buhach Colony of Atwater on March 16.

(May 24, 2007)