Barons send Pats packing, Eagles next
- Updated: May 23, 2018
2018 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL
By Dave Dickens
EastCountySports.com
CHULA VISTA (5-22-2018) – Unfortunately for the Christian High Patriots, the computers were correct, as the visitors dropped the first SDSCIF Division 1 contest, 3-1, at the hands of Bonita Vista on Tuesday.
The host Barons showed they were ready to take control immediately, with 2 outs, a base on balls issued to sophomore Nathan Nankil, then next a single ripped to right field by Rumble Reyes, advanced Nankil to second, and on an error by Patriot shortstop JACOB BECK, allowed Nankil to score, 1-0 Barons.
After a scoreless second inning, the Patriots decided it was time to show their power, as freshman TRENT NIELSEN on a 2-1 count drove one deep to center, clearing the yard, and tying the contest 1-1 in the top of the third inning.
Christian pitcher BRAD JEREMIAH was cruising along, making key pitches with a pretty effective defense behind him.
Jeremiah would have one more hiccup on the afternoon, as Bonita Vista would strike again, this time scoring 2 runs, which would prove to be all they would need to send the Patriots home with quick exit papers, 3-1, courtesy of the Barons’ OMAR VEGA and ALEX BRUCE.
Jeremiah pitched 6 strong innings, all things considered.
“It was a tough way to end the season,” Christian coach BRYAN MITCHELL said. “Defensively we played pretty solid, and Brad really competed this afternoon.
“We had a few chances to drive in some runs but came up a wee bit short. Some baserunning errors really cost us early on.”
“Bonita’s pitcher was solid, he threw a good fastball, with a decent off speed. We had him in some tight situations early on but just couldn’t get the key hits. ”
When questioned about his solo homer, scoring the lone run for his squad, TRENT NIELSEN replied, “It was a great feeling because I had a tough couple of games. The guy throwing today for the Barons was very good and had a corky wind up. He threw me a mid-high fastball and I thought I popped it up, but it carried out.
“I finally got going, but a little too late in the season. The game became interesting due to the fact that both teams had their dudes on the mound.”
Nielsen, one of the county’s best first-year players in a crop of unprecedented young talent, is ready to keep working on his game.
“This summer I’m going to play for the Show,” he said. “I’ll probably play 16U and 17U and hopefully I’ll
come back big, stronger, faster, and another year more mature.”
When questioned about next year, coach Mitchell replied, “We think we have a really good core coming back. Trent Nielsen should have a huge summer and will be one of the top players in the county next year.
“Juniors MATT ARMIJO and OWEN EASLEY both had solid years at the plate and will play a big role for us next year. CONNOR OHTON, our catcher, is only a sophomore and is starting to develop into a really good baseball player.”
Bonita Vista will face top-seeded Granite Hills on Wednesday.
