Few better than Foothillers’ aces
- Updated: March 8, 2019
2019 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL
GROSSMONT 5, ST. AUGUSTINE 0
East County Sports staff report
LA MESA (3-7-2019) – There’s no longer a need for professional baseball scouts to look at the Grossmont Foothillers baseball schedule.
No matter which ballgame they attend, there are sure to witness a strong effort by a member of the Hillers pitching staff.
On Thursday (Mar. 6), the latest pitching gem was registered by Drew Shirvanian, a senior left-hander who shutout powerful St. Augustine, 5-0.
Shirvanian struck out five Saints while allowing five hits (all singles) in blanking a county fifth-ranked St. Augustine squad that averaged 7.4 runs in five previous wins this season.
“Our defense today was amazing,” Shirvanian said. “Especially Zak Farris with the hose to home. That helped me a lot with my pitch count and even keeping the shutout.
“Our offense today was great. Even though we struggled on the bases we still did great. The offense team being able to put up runs In the late innings, was amazing to watch.”
The shutout comes off a Grossmont shutout of Saints rival Cathedral Catholic when Jack Hyde fired a 1-hitter.
The only question is, “which ace is pitching better?”
Meanwhile, senior right fielder Max Ford, who basically hasn’t played since his sophomore season due to injuries, looks fully recovered.
“Drew pitched great and we finally got a big hit with Ford’s Homer,” Grossmont head coach Jordan Abruzzo said. “But we still have to get better to get to the level we want to be at. We actually didn’t play a very good game today but we found a way to win.”
Ford bombed his third homer of the season in the 6th, capping a 4-run rally to break open a 1-0 pitchers’ duel.
“I’m more relaxed but I’m always dialed in at the plate trying to get it to the next guy,” Ford said. “Drew did a great job spotting up and getting a bunch of pop-ups and I think if we keep working hard we could do big things as a group.”
Hillers shortstop Giovanni Giganti lined an RBI single in the 4th for the game’s lone run until Grossmont busted open the contest late.
Brodie Romero accepted a one-out single, Giganti walked, then Isaiah Gomez singled to left to load the vases.
A double play grounder allowed a run to score, but Ford followed by clobbering a 3-1 pitch over the porch in right field, giving him three RBI on the afternoon.
Left fielder Zakary Farris also added two Grossmont’s 7 hits.
For St. Augustine (5-3), senior first baseman Giancarlo Cortez collected a pair of hits.
