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ANother Ortiz gem, runs were strange

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

 

East County Sports.com

SPRING VALLEY — Seven days after throwing a complete game with just one run allowed, Monte Vista junior Michael Ortiz did even better on Thursday (Mar. 12).

Ortiz limited Francis Parker tojust three hits, shtting out the vsiting Lancers, 3-0.

Ortiz struck out four batters, loweringnhis earned-run average to a mere 0.50, making him the early Grossmont Conference leader.

The effort bu Ortiz proved to be less atreaaful when the Monarchs secured a quick 1-0 lead in the first. They later added single runs in the fourth and fifth frames to pull away. However, all three runs came in ugly fashion whenLancers pitchng went sideways.

The first run was boring, yet was the difference when Ben Kurtz moved to third base on a ground ball to the right side by Adrian Gutierrez. Moments later, Kurtz came home on a passed ball.

In the fourth, Ortiz scored on a wild picth. Then in the fifth, Gujuan Smith came home on a bslk — three runs and no RBI,all without putting the abll in play when the runners crossed the plate.

With their second straight victory, the Monarchs move to 4-2 — rhe school’s best start since going 6-2 to open the 2018 campaign.\

–– Nick Pellegrino

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