Henry wins ninth straight, shares title

By Nick Pellegrino
ECS staff writer

DEL CERRO —- Capping the season by looking like a champion, the Patrick Henry Patriots were solid in all aspects of Thursday’s (June 3) regular-season finale by winning their ninth straight contest, blanking visiting Serra, 7-0, to gain a share of the Eastern League pennant.

Patrick Henry (19-9 overall, 12-3 league) finishes in a deadlock with Clairemont, which also capped its season with a three-game sweep after barely nipping host Coronado, 2-1 in eight innings along the Silver Strand.

Following Patrick Henry’s sluggish start in league play, an 11-1 closing run led the school to its second straight league flag. Against Serra, the Pats have posted a 17-6 mark against the Q-Dawgs since 2008.

Patriots freshman Talin Gardini pitched four solid innings of two-hit ball to gain the victory. Relievers Kyle Wilsie and Carson Dudley followed with three frames of no-hit ball in the combined two-hit shutout.

Gardini (2-0), who also defeated Mira Mesa last week, could be the key to a deep playoff run for the Patriots.

Ryan Ellis batted 2-for-2 with a double, driving in two runs and scoring twice Meanwhile, Eddie Gomez went hit-less, yet recorded a pair of RBI on ground balls to the right side of the infield. The second baseman also stole a base.

Max Shabestari went 3-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.
Patrick Henry (20-9 overall, 12-3 league) is expected to gain a first-round bye in the CIF Division II field, then host a first-round home game.

For Serra, it was their school’s final game. Next season, the campus is changing its name to Canyon Hills and will be nicknamed the Rattlesnakes (“Rattlers” for short).