Another shutout in the ‘East Zone’
- Updated: April 2, 2024
2024 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL
Compiled by Nick Pellegrino
ECS Senior writer
EL CAJON – Nobody seems to enjoy the “East Zone” when it comes to pitching by arena ballclubs.
Christian and Granite Hills hiugh schools, ocated less than a quarter-mile from each other, continues to haunt the visitors, terrorising them with shutout pitching.
On Tuesday (Apr. 2), Christian’s Peter Zacharzuk took his turn with seven solid innings, tossing a two-hitter to strangle Braley, 1-0, in the ballclub’s final game prior to league play.
Zacharzuk turned the trick on three strike outs of Wildcats batters, fcing a mere 22 batters — one above the minimum. The fround ball specialist registered 16 of his outs to the infield.
“Peter did a great job mixing his pitches,” said Patriots head coach Mike Mitchell. ” “He kept Brawley off balance. Five of his seven innings were 12-2-3.”
Not only was the right-hander backed by a double play, two other Wildcats were out on the basepaths. One runner failed on a stolen base attempt, while another was out attempting to stretch a single into a double.
The Patriots offense provided two runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to seal the victory.
Sophomore Benji Molina supplied most of the damage with a pair of doubles, diring in two runs. One of the blows came after Xavier Farnum also doubled, who scored the lone run needed by Zacharzuk.
Farnum, the ctacher, finished 3-for-3 and a pair of runs scored.
Cappelletti won the ballgame with four innings of relief after the Patriots scored in the fifth inning to finally top a 2-hit coplete game by Barons pitcher Ismael Castanon (9 K’s, buty 4 walks).
One of the walks was issued to sophomore Alex Mestman, who scoredon a two-out sun-aided triple by Cappeletti.
One only other hit by the Patriots (13-3) was by ack Giordano. Bonita Vista fell to 9-4-1 after its 2-game win streak was snapped.
The Braves tallied seven times in the second inning, with the lead growing to 11-0 before the Cobras finally answered.
Herrera equalled his career-best in RBI on judt two hits, while, Cosio collected three hits.
In addition, Eduardo Cazarez posted three hits for a pair of RBI, and Paul Rodriguez Pelayo raked a double in a 15-hit Braves attack.
A trio of ECVHS [itchers allowed five runs (four earned), but CV-LCC was credited with just one basehit.
For El Cajon Valley (9-4 overall), the 15 runs scored were a season high. CVLCL fell to 1-3.
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DerekBrayden Santa (Jr) amd frejman Taylor collected consecutive RBI singles to garner the win
Ramona starting pitcher ait Karlson fell just one out short of a complete game (based on pitch count), but freshman reliever Alex Wilson came out of the bullpen o register the final out for the save.
Ramona moved to 8-5 overall; El Camino fell to 9-5. In the other Valley League opember, Mission Vista topped Escondido, 7-5, while VBalley Center had the bye.
Scoreboard
Tue, Apr 2
Christian 4, Brawley 0 (2-hit shutout)
ECVHS 15, CV-LCC 5 (1-hitter)
Patrick Henry 1, Bonita Vista 0 (2-hit shutout)
Ramona 2, El Camino 1
Warner at Julian