Hillers survive late Granite Hills rally
- Updated: April 4, 2024
2024 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL
ECS staff report
FLETCHER HILLS – Nothing drives a field manager off their rocker than a starting pitcher emerging from pre-gae warm-ups in the bullpen by announcing that he is warm, yet shows nothing on the mound.
However, following an array of offense which saw Granite Hills and Grossmont even at 3-all through two innings, the anticipated pitchers’ duel came through.
The only mark was a Foothillers run in their final at-bat in the bottom of the sixth, taking down the two-time defending Grossmont Hills League champion Eagles, 4-3, Thursday (Apr 4) at Gizoni Field.
The diference maker was Grossmont’s Cody Bigley, who registed of the his team’s four hits, both good for RBI, including a home run.
Jacob Holman pitched six innings, yielding just four hits. When the go-ahead run scored in the sixth, Aidan Dilgard was called upon and barely survived the sevnth for the save. He allowed the game-tying and go-ahead runners on base, yet escaped the major jam.
Patrick Henry 2, Otay Ranch 0 – It doesn’t seem to matter who (m) PatrickHenry rolls out to the mound, you can often expect a shutout.
On Thursday (Apr. 4), the Patriots utilized Jayden Goldman (3.1 innings pitched), Nate Moloney (2.2) and Talin Gardini (the 7th for the save) to blank visiting Otay Ranch, 2-0, on a 5-hitter.
Gardini was particularily impressive, striking our the Mustangs in order.
Reminiscent of the wood bat era prior to the introduction of the aluminium bat in the 1970s, the shutout was the schools seventh of the season, including six in their lst 10 ballgames.
Preston Conklinprovided all of the run prodction with a two-run single in the third, bringing home Nate Dill and Gardini.
Otay Ranch had one chance to get back into the contest, but a double play grounded ended the threat.
The Patriots (14-3) complete the re-league schedule Monday at Montgomery, then open Western League action with a road-and-home series with powerful St.Augustine.
Classical 6, Christian 2 – Early in the week, with all the hype about Patriots coach Mike Mitchell in position to gain his 600th career win — accomplished Wednesday against Unioversity City — andplaying three games in as many days, there was concern if the ballclub would be focused for the fiesty Caimans (a type of lizard).
Classical scored three times in the third, then mounted a 5-0 advantage before the Patriots could answer.
The lone Christian runs were drivien home by Xavier Farnum and Johnny Rocco.
Christian (8-5 overall) saw its 3-game win streak snapped entering Western League action with a 3-game series with Cathedral Catholic next week.
