Center fielder B.J. Boyd hits a triple off the right field wall to leadoff the first inning in Paly’s CCS semifinal loss against Valley Christian High School.  Boyd would score from third base a play later on a Jack Witte groundout to give the Vikings an early 1-0 lead.

– Matt Ersted

The Palo Alto Vikings (27-7) fell to the Valley Christian Warriors (25-8), 4-2, in extra innings tonight in CCS semifinal baseball action at San Jose Municipal Stadium.

Paly had the lead thanks to two runs scored by senior B.J. Boyd in the first and third innings, respectively, but lost it in the fifth when Valley Christian tied it up with timely hitting.

Senior Ben Sneider pitched five strong innings for the Vikings and made it through the first four innings without allowing a run but was hit hard in the two-run fifth inning.

Sophomore Danny Erlich relieved Sneider and gave up only a walk over 2.2 innings before Valley Christian scored twice with two outs in the top of the eighth.

The loss concludes Paly’s season, while Valley Christian will go on to the CCS championship game Saturday against San Benito.

“The best team won today and that’s baseball,” Sneider said.  “You can’t win them all.”