Hillers’ Hyde downs Dons with two-hitter
- Updated: March 6, 2019
2019 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL
East County Sports staff report
CARMEL VALLEY (3-6-2019) – Grossmont High senior right-hander Jack Hyde offered another one of his patented dominating performances, blanking Cathedral Catholic on just two hits to down the Dons, 3-0, at Manchester Field.
Sixth-ranked Grossmont moved to 4-2 with the triumph, with three coming via shutout.
The Dons (0-4) are off to their poorest start since relocating from Alcala Park in Linda Vista when known as University of San Diego High School.
Hyde needed a mere 78 pitches to complete his gem. He struck out six batters opposed to just one walk, facing just two batters above the minimum thanks to the Hillers defense on a step-and-throw double play by shortstop Giovanni Giganti in the 2nd inning.
“I went out and tried to attack the zone today and minimize my pitch count which worked out well thanks to some great plays from my defense,” Hyde said. “In the first inning, my third baseman, Isaiah Gomez, made an outstanding play to keep them off the bases and boost our morale.
“Coach Atkinson and the other coaches have really helped me perfect my craft and become a better student of the game, and I can’t thank them enough for it. Today was a great team win.”
The only Dons scoring threat saw Zack Watson stroke a two-out double in the 4th, but Hyde escaped on a pop out to third baseman Isaiah Gomez.
Justin Campos hit a lead single and stole second base for the Dons, but Hyde stranded the runner with a pair of strikeouts.
Hyde held the lead from the start after Grossmont opened the scoring in the 1st, then posted two insurance runs in the 6th.
“Jack was phenomenal today,” Grossmont head coach JORDAN ABRUZZO said. “He’s led our
Giganti (infield single) and Gomez (walk) reached with one out. Giganti scored on a wild pitch
Dons starter Jake Rons, who allowed six hits and an unearned run in five innings, took the loss.
The Hillers rally in the 6th saw left fielder Zakary Farris stroke a lead triple to deep right field.
Catcher Brandon Smith was plunked by a pitch by the Dons bullpen, which threw another wild pitch into the dirt to score Farris.
Meanwhile, Grossmont courtesy runner Brody Schicker took two bases to third base on the errant pitch, scoring when leadoff batter Brodie Romero lifted a sacrifice fly to center field.
Romero and Giganti each registered two of the Hillers’ 10 base hits, as the top three Grossmont batters went a composite 5-for-10 with a walk.
“So far our pitching has given up 10 runs in 6 games,” Abruzzo said. “If we continue to pitch and play defense we will compete at a high level.”
Notes — Since 2005, Cathedral Catholic has dropped just three season openers. Prior to this year’s loss to Poway, the Dons’ only other losses were to Santana (2-1 in 2-16) and Granite Hills (5-0 in 2011).
During the same time period, CCHS never went 0-2 to start a campaign until Granite Hills turned the trick this season with a 4-3 victory on Feb. 26. Now at 0-4, this is poorest start for Cathedral since the school moved to Carmel Valley after is relocated from Alcala Park in Linda Vista and was known as University of San Diego High School.
