Monarchs upset No. 2 Granite Hills
to give Cougars share of GSL lead

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-08-08) — With less than a week left in the regular season, the Grossmont Conference baseball races are tighter than ever. Upstart Steele Canyon has created a tie in the Grossmont South with Granite Hills – the No. 2-ranked team in the San Diego CIF at 9-3 with three games remaining in the regular season. Eighth-ranked Valhalla is only one game behind the co-leaders. It is equally as cozy in the Grossmont North where No. 3-ranked Grossmont is clinging to a one-half game edge over No. 6 El Capitan.

MONTE VISTA 5, GRANITE HILLS 3 – First-year coach BRANDON ROGERS and his Monarchs are starting to enjoy playing the spoiler’s role. After staggering through 13 losses in 15 games in the middle of the season, Monte Vista seems to have found its footing.

The visiting Monarchs scored a major knockout on Thursday (May 8) when they upended front-running Granite Hills as the Eagles were hoping to close in on their 4th straight GSL championship.

Center stage for the Monarchs was ADAM TIMANUS. The versatile junior supplied the key stroke in a 4-run 3rd inning that gave the Spring Valley bunch a 4-1 lead it would not lose.

“We went into the game knowing that we had nothing to lose and all the pressure was on them,” said Timanus. “We have a positive attitude and want to be a factor the rest of the season.”

Freshman left-hander NICK SABO baffled the Eagles (20-6, 9-3 GSL) for 6 1/3 innings as he collected his first varsity victory. Sabo scattered seven hits while stymieing the usually heavy hitting Eagles before departing in the 7th inning.

Enter Timanus, who started the game at shortstop. Dubbed the “Monte Vista closer,” Timanus has not had many chances to perform that role, but was definitely under fire in the final frame at Granite Hills.

After Sabo surrendered a walk to DANIEL VINTON and a pinch hit single to TYLER JOWORSKI, it appeared that a Granite Hills comeback was in the making.

Rogers and pitching coach RYAN JAMISON debated allowing Sabo to begin the 7th inning. With the tying run now on base, they were definitely second-guessing themselves.

“With BRIAN HUMPHRIES coming up we liked the lefty-lefty match-up,” Rogers said. “Besides, Sabo had held Humphries (0-for-4) in check all day.”

Humphries popped up for the first out. After that Rogers called on Timanus to finish the job. JARED RAPOZA blooped a single into left-center to load the bases.

“I threw a pitch at his (Rapoza’s) knees and he still hit it well,” Timanus said. “The ball hung in the air long enough to make their runners have to be conservative. I sort of looked at that as a reprieve.”

DYLAN GARCIA, who tripled and scored in the 6th inning, stepped in with the bags full. Timanus was up to the challenge.

“I was able to jam him with a fastball on the inner half,” Timanus said. “He hit a flare to our shortstop (TRISTON BRAYMAN).”

Not only did Brayman make the catch, he also tagged second base to complete a game-ending double play.

It was Timanus’ third save in as many chances. But his value to the Monarchs was more than just pitching.

After MICHAEL HODGES reached base on one of Granite Hills’ three errors, Timanus followed with a drive over the left-field foul pole, giving Monte Vista a 2-1 lead in the 3rd inning.

“It was a fastball, middle-in – just like I like ‘em,” Timanus said of his second home run of the season that helped lead to TRAVIS HOPPER’s first loss in eight decisions.

Once again the Eagles lent a helping hand to keep the productive 3rd frame alive for the Monarchs. Brayman reached base on an error and eventually scored on a double by SPENCER REED. A groundout by ERIC LaBOUBE cashed in Reed to make it 4-1.

Reed and Timanus were both 2-for-4 against the Eagles ace. In his last 11 games Reed is batting at a .542 clip (19-of-35).

“Reed had a slow start,” said Rogers . “Based on what we saw in winter league, we expected him to be our big hitter. And now he’s finally hitting the way we knew he could.”

Not to be overlooked was the work of the youthful Sabo.

“He pitched like a veteran,” Rogers said. “He topped out at 83 (mph) and had a lot of movement on his ball. The main thing is he stayed away from the big inning and he’s only going to get better.”

Indeed the Eagles offensive showing was a bit subpar.

Sophomore JARED HUNT was 2-for-2 with a double and slashed a solo home run.

HELIX 3, MOUNT MIGUEL 2 – The long laundry list of bad beats and ugly losses took a hiatus from the Helix Highlanders, which finally pieced together a triumph Thursday (May 8), even if it was among the ugly variety.

Collecting just a pair of singles all afternoon, the Scotties still managed to post three runs on the scoreboard to counter a solid pitching effort by Mount Miguel's JAMES TREBUS, avenging an earlier shutout loss by nipping the Matadors in Grossmont South League action.

The difference came on defense. Helix turned three double plays to hand starting pitcher MIKE ANDRADE a victory, while Mount Miguel committed four errors, including two on the play which pushed across the game-deciding run in the 5th inning.

"I was just trying to get the ball on the ground and go the other way," said Helix shortstop BENNY GUERRERO. "It took a bad hop on the first baseman, then the second baseman threw it away when I tried to beat it out."

Guerrero was safe on the fielding error. And when the throw skipped toward the Helix dugout, THOMAS BRYAN, who walked and stole second base, walked home with the go-ahead run to complete a comeback from a 2-0 deficit.

"Trebus throws hard, hits his spots and keep it on the outer half," added Guerrero. "We tried to adjust to it -- it's all we could do."

While the Matadors failed to convert plays on defense, Helix overcame its mistakes by getting out of several threats by Mount Miguel.

"Yesterday (Wednesday), we were working out and taking fungoes all day, just turning double plays all day," Guerrero noted. "It paid off."

Andrade was tagged for a pair of 1st-inning runs when RICKY SOLORZANO drove home LUCAS GOLDEN and RUDDY ACOSTA with a clutch, two-out single to right field with the bases loaded. But the junior right-hander then tossed 6 1/3 innings of shutout ball, striking out four Matadors batters.

"I went out there with the mentality to compete -- and I had a great defense behind me," noted Andrade. "Trebus is a great pitcher, but baseball is a game of little things. The three double plays were clutch, doing a good job of staying down on the ball and doing what they had to do."

"It feels way better to get a win."

Helix got even on a pair of walks, a double-steal which might have been a failed hit-and-run attempt -- the Scotties were not saying -- followed by a pair of run-scoring ground balls by CHASE GLENN and Andrade.

"It's just one of those things," said Matadors coach BYRON GRIGSBY. "We just need to re-focus and take care of things which are costing us ballgames."

Despite the setback, the Matadors might actually possess the tools needed to make a run in the SDCIF Division III playoffs.

"Trebus did everything we wanted him to do -- he threw strikes and kept us in the game. And with Ruddy Acosta also pitching well -- he shutout Helix the last time we played them -- those two are tough. It's a deadly 1-2 punch, especially since the teams we’ll see haven't seen them pitch."

EL CAPITAN 13, WEST HILLS 2 – TANNER RUST went 2-for-2 with a double and two RBI to key a 10-run 4th inning as the visiting Vaqueros steamrollered the Wolf Pack in Thursday’s (May 8) Grossmont North League action in Santee.

“We’re peaking at the right time,” Rust said of the Vaqueros, who have won eight of their last nine. “This is the time of the season where you have to kick it in gear and we hope to keep it going through the playoffs.”

Steady senior designated hitter CANNON NIKZAD drove in three runs with a pair of singles for the Vaqueros.

“Nikzad has done such a great job at coming up with hits with runners on base, it almost spoils us when he doesn’t deliver,” said Vaqueros coach STEVE VICKERY. “It’s not fair to him but we’ve gotten to where we just assume that he’s going to get the big hit. But one thing is certain about him, he always gives a quality at-bat.”

Nikzad is batting .385 (10-for-26) with runners in scoring position.

“I always stay after practice and try to get in as many swings as possible,” said Nikzad. “I have to credit (assistant) coaches RALPH NASIF and MARK NOBLE for helping me a lot.”

“People think that I’m a dead pull hitter,” Nikzad added. “But I know that I can take the ball to all fields. I’ve really worked on that all year.”

Nikzad snapped a 2-2 tie with an RBI single in the 3rd inning at West Hills. He plated two additional runs with a base hit in El Capitan ’s big 4th inning.

“Both of my hits today were to the opposite field,” Nikzad noted.

Vaqueros senior MARCO MARISCAL needed only 68 pitches to spin a complete game 7-hitter for his 5th win in seven decisions.

“Marco really elevated his game today,” Vickery said. “That’s the second straight start where he had a rocky beginning but a smooth finish.”

Rust, the Vaqueros junior catcher, concurred.

“Marco left some balls up in the first couple of innings,” Rust said. “But then he brought his pitches down. When he stays at knee level he’s unhittable. He really does have good stuff and gives us another threat on the hill.”

West Hills (11-15, 4-6 GNL) took the early lead when ERIC McKNIGHT doubled and DAVID BRISTOL hammered a 1-2 hanging curve ball over the right-field fence in the 2nd inning.

Even after a pair of Wolf Pack errors gave the Vaqueros three unearned runs in the top of the 3rd, West Hills scrambled back in the bottom of the inning. It was the pivotal inning of the game for West Hills, which had one runner picked off and another thrown out at the plate.

It had to be frustrating for the Pack when WILL CRUMPLER singled but was then picked off by Mariscal. CHRIS ALLEN then reached base on a bunt single. TONY SPEARS followed with a double and Allen tried to score from first on the drive to centerfield.

Once again the Vaqueros were up to the challenge. Freshman centerfielder TYRONE WIGGINS made a strong relay to shortstop KEVIN MORTON, who wheeled and fired a strike to Rust at the plate. Allen was a dead duck.

“We had him by a good two feet,” said Rust. “He didn’t have a chance. I had the ball in my glove, waiting to put the tag down.”

After that West Hills had only one more hit in the game.

“No doubt, that play took the wind out of their sails,” Vickery said. “This was definitely our day.”

The victory gave El Capitan a 2-1 series edge over the Wolf Pack. The playoff-hopeful Pack has suddenly lost three in a row.

“There’s a reason why Grossmont and El Capitan are ranked in the Top 6,” said West Hills coach CHRIS BAUM. “We hit the ball really well – just made some base-running errors. Good teams will capitalize on those errors.”

Baum did find some positives in the lop-sided loss.

“Even though the kids were down they were still battling,” he said. “MATT BERENDT made a really nice, just a great diving catch in right field. And (KYLE) HOOPER and ( TYLER ) ZICKEL turned a nice double play in the 6th inning.”

GROSSMONT 5, SANTANA 1 – The Foothillers (22-6, 8-2 GNL) continued their quest for a third straight Grossmont North League pennant Thursday (May 8) in Santee .

Southpaw LEVI STEVENS turned in one of his top pitching performances of the season, stopping the Sultans with a 4-hitter while striking out 10. It was Stevens’ third complete game in 11 starts.

“That is as good as he’s pitched all season,” said Grossmont coach ROB PHILLIPS. “The key thing is he was able to get his off-speed pitches over for strikes. When he’s able to do that, it makes his fastball more effective.”

Santana coach JERRY HENSON agreed that Stevens was supreme.

“He did a real nice job, kept us off balance,” said Henson. “When he really needed it, he got it over.”

Stevens made only one pitch he’d probably like to have back, and that came in the 1st inning after he’d begun the game with back-to-back strikeouts when RYAN STUTZ lined his third home run of the season to straightaway centerfield.

After that Stevens silenced the Sultans (18-10, 4-6 GNL) the rest of the way for his 6th win against three losses.

Grossmont rang up five runs on four hits against BRANDYN BELL in the first three innings. KYLE SECCIANI doubled and CHARLIE PIRO and BRYAN HAAR walked to load the bases with two outs. Bell then uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Secciani to score. CASH “Money” McCLELLAN then singled to right to score Piro.

A dropped fly ball with two outs in the 2nd inning set up Secciani’s RBI single to make it 3-1.

An inning later Haar drew a one-out walk and rode home on ROBERT REYES’ second home run of the season to finish the scoring.

Bell, along with relief help from MIKE MANRING and KYLE HAYES, blanked the Foothillers on two hits over the final four frames.

Late Piro homer lifts Hillers' Griffin to 8-1

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-7-08) -- The Grossmont Foothillers moved a step closer to a third consecutive Grossmont North League crown by eliminating another opponent from the contenders list.

Fueled by a 2-run, tie-breaking home run by CHARLIE PIRO, the Hillers rode the arm of pitcher AARON GRIFFIN to put away visiting West Hills, 3-1, at Joe Gizoni Field,

Tuesday's (May 6) contest was a complete contrast to the SDCIF playoffs game played between the teams here in 2006, when Grossmont out-slugged the Wolf Pack en route to an 18-13 first-round decision.

This go-round, pitching was the key as West Hills starter GABRIEL ZEHNER matched Griffin in yielding just a single run through five innings, but got beat on a pitch which was nowhere near the strike zone.

"It was probably somewhere near my chin," admitted Piro, who hit his 8th homer of the season to move within two of the East County lead. "He kind of left a fastball up – a two-seamer – up near my face."

Grossmont centerfielder KYLE SECCIANI opened the inning with a drive down the left-field line, getting a double despite a diving effort by Wolf Pack outfielder CHRIS ALLEN. Zehner then gained a 1-2 count on Piro.

"At that point (with two strikes), I'm just trying to battle and drive a man in from second base," noted Piro, who lofted the ball over the barrier just to the left of the batter's eye in centerfield, driving in all three Grossmont runs on the afternoon.

Griffin then set West Hills down in order in the 7th, closing out the victory with the final of his four strikeouts without a walk, running his season ledger to 8-1.

"The best thing about it, we eliminated them from contention to win the Grossmont North," added Piro, who will attend Chapman University in the fall. "So it's now just us and El Capitan , who we play next week, but we have to worry about Santana first."

The only mistake by Griffin came in the 4th, when Wolf Pack slugger ERIC McKNIGHT belted his fifth homer of the season.

"McKnight's killed us for three years, especially in our ballpark," said Grossmont coach ROB PHILLIPS of McKnight, who homered at Grossmont last season, too. "Beating anyone in our league, including El Cajon (Valley), is not an easy thing to do, but Griffin did a great job and kept his pitch count down."

The Foothillers opened the scoring when West Hills barely missed turning a double play.

Third baseman CONOR MEREDITH opened the 3rd with a double, moved to third on a ground ball to the right side by JOSH SIMMS, then Secciani walked. Piro followed with a grounder to third base, but Piro hustled down the line to avoid the round-the-horn double play.

Otherwise, only one other West Hills baserunner reached second base as Griffin overcame nagging pain in his foot.

"My foot was bugging me today, so I really couldn't push off," explained Griffin. "So I just tried to hit my spots and let them get themselves out."

"And with our lineup, anyone can come up big and hit a home run for us -- our entire lineup can hit the ball hard."

Secciani reached base on all three of his plate appearances with his double and a pair of walks. Otherwise, no player on either ballclub collected more than one hit.

STEELE CANYON 7, HELIX 6 (8 inn.) – Don’t count the Steele Canyon Cougars out of the Grossmont South League pennant chase.

In just its sixth varsity season, Steele Canyon (14-9, 8-3 GSL) has a legitimate shot at snagging a league title this season. The Cougars have four games remaining in the regular season, including home games against their major competitors for the loop laurels – Valhalla (Thursday, May 8) and Granite Hills (Tuesday, May 13).

“We have all we can ask for – holding our destiny in our own hands,” said Cougars’ first-year head coach TODD SNYDER. “We have one last shot at those we need to beat to win this thing.”

Not that Snyder is discounting the Cougars’ clashes against second division rivals Monte Vista and Mount Miguel , which are also part of the final regular season run.

“We all know what we need to do,” said Steele Canyon left-fielder JORDAN HINDI, who was 3-for-5 with two RBI in the Cougars’ victory over Helix on Tuesday (May 6) in Rancho San Diego. “ Steele Canyon is not used to being in the running at this time of the year. We have a past of not doing that well, but this year we’re going to change that up. We need to run the table.”

In a game where the visiting Highlanders (7-16, 2-9 GSL) could have spoiled Steele Canyon ’s stretch run, DANNY MacINTYRE came up with a key blow – a game-winning single in the bottom of the 8th.

The Highlanders opened the door for the Cougars by allowing NOLAN MURRAY to reach base on an error in the bottom of the 8th. Murray then stole second. One out later Helix elected to walk ANDREW BELLATTI. That set the stage for MacIntyre’s game-winning hit.

Not unlike any other hitter, MacIntyre could look at the Highlanders’ decision to walk the hitter ahead of him in two ways. He could consider it an insult, or look at it as respect.

“That’s the game of baseball,” MacIntye said modestly. “Andrew has a good stick and they really don’t know that much about me.”

Now they do.

MacIntyre whacked a line drive into left-center field, allowing Murray to score easily.

“The pitch I hit was a fastball over the inside half of the plate,” MacIntyre said. “I just worked on staying through and trying to come around on it.”

It was MacIntyre’s second run-scoring hit of the day.

“I think we have more heart than we had last year,” he said. “And we’ve got a lot of kids who want to win it (GSL). I think our coach has done a great job of motivating us and keeping us in it.”

ANTHONY NAVARRSKI pitched two flawless innings of relief to earn his third win of the season.

For Helix, which has lost eight of its last nine, it had to be a moral victory. The Highlanders had the Cougars caged a good part of the day.

CHASE GLENN was 3-for-4 with an RBI and fell just a home run shy of hitting for the cycle.

ANTHONY DIAZ was 2-for-3 with three RBI, including a 2-run homer in the 5th.

But the Highlanders could not overcome four errors and eight walks.

“I think the game came down to they made all the plays and we didn’t,” said Helix coach COLE HOLLAND. “We made four errors and they didn’t have any. We have two guys – Diaz and Glenn – who are swinging the bats well. We need to get more than these two guys going.”

GRANITE HILLS 4, MOUNT MIGUEL 2 – Granite Hills coach JAMES DAVIS was duly impressed by Mount Miguel sophomore pitcher RUDDY ACOSTA in Tuesday’s (May 6) Grossmont South League contest in El Cajon.

“He’s legit – I’m glad we don’t have to face him again,” Davis said of the 6-foot-6, 160-pound Matadors right-hander.

Despite Acosta’s stellar pitching, the No. 2 ranked Eagles escaped with their seventh win in nine starts.

“We battled against a really good pitcher – one who has a bright future ahead of him,” Davis said. “He probably throws in the high 80s to 90s and has a hammer breaking ball. He’s easily one of the top pitching prospects in the county.”

Acosta (4-5), 3.43 ERA surrendered three earned runs and nine hits to Granite Hills while striking out nine and walking none.

“It wasn’t like we were knocking him around the ballpark,” Davis said. “We were fortunate in that we were able to group our hits at least in one inning to win the game.”

The Eagles (20-5, 9-2 GSL), who are clinging to a one-game lead over Valhalla and Steele Canyon, erased a 1-0 deficit by scoring all four runs in the 5th inning.

Ironically, it was Eagles pitcher DEAN MILLER who ignited the rally. Although the junior right-hander’s primary function was to shut down Mount Miguel, he slashed a one-out double to set the Granite Hills offense in motion.

BRIAN HUMPHRIES followed with a single to put runners at the corners. JARED RAPOZA and DYLAN GARCIA followed with back-to-back singles, giving Granite Hills a 2-1 lead. JOSH QUERIONES contributed a single to plate a third run.

The Eagles then attempted a double steal and the Matadors threw the ball away to make it 4-1.

Miller (7-2) was overpowering on the mound for the Eagles, limiting the Matadors to three hits and one earned run while striking out nine in a complete game effort.

Seeking their fourth consecutive GSL pennant, the Eagles need wins over Monte Vista, Helix, Steele Canyon and Valhalla. So the race is hardly over.

SANTANA 3, EL CAJON VALLEY 1 – Fresh off snapping its state-record losing streak of 129 games on Saturday (May 3), host El Cajon Valley came close to making it two straight Grossmont North League victories in Tuesday’s (May 6) joust against visiting Santana.

Although Braves pitcher ADRIAN PADILLA scattered eight hits in a complete game effort, the El Cajon Valley hitters could not solve the dealings of Santana’s JAMES NEEDY.

“It was a close ballgame,” said Santana coach JERRY HENSON. “ El Cajon Valley is a very respectable ballclub. All of us who have played them have learned that they can play ball. They are not just pushovers.”

Needy was a double-edged thorn in the Braves’ side. After CHRIS RABICHAUD and BRANDYN BELL began the game with back-to-back singles, Needy laced a double to give Santana a 1-0 lead.

The Sultans (18-9, 4-5 GNL) doubled their advantage in the 3rd inning without benefit of a hit. A key throwing error by the Braves set up Bell ’s sacrifice fly.

In the 4th inning Needy led off with a single, advanced to second on KYLE HAYES’ groundout and rode home on KYLE ROMERO’s single to left.

Padilla silenced the Sultans the rest of the way.

“Adrian Padilla pitched an awesome game,” said El Cajon Valley coach MIKE RUPP of his hardluck senior right-hander, who lost for the ninth time in 10 decisions.

El Cajon Valley (9-17, 1-8 GNL) finally broke through against Needy in the 7th inning.

With one out, GAVINO PINAL and JOSE VARGAS hit back-to-back singles. Determined to secure a shutout, Needy blew a third strike past CAMERON LAUDERMILK for the second out. He could not follow suit against ADRIAN TORRES, who lined a single down the left field line to break the spell.

Needy was able to get the final out for his first complete game.

“Needy threw an outstanding ballgame,” said Henson of the junior right-hander who scattered six hits, walked one and struck out seven.

VALHALLA 9, MONTE VISTA 3 – Senior RYAN O’SULLIVAN, who is regarded as a blue-chip pitching prospect in next month’s professional baseball draft, used his bat to help direct the visiting Norsemen past the Monarchs in Tuesday’s (May 6) Grossmont South League action in Spring Valley.

O’Sullivan was 3-for-4, including his East County-leading 10th home run as he drove in three runs to help keep No. 8 ranked Valhalla (18-8, 8-3) tied for second place with Steele Canyon in the GSL. His latest batting spree hoisted his season average to .389 (28-for-72).

Four Valhalla pitcher shared the pitching chores with freshman starter FRANCISCO TELLEZ toiling four innings to log his 5th win in seven decisions.

TREVOR CAHOON, BEN GROSS and JAKE BOEKAMP pitched an inning apiece to finish the job.

"We received great pitching from Tellez, Cahoon, Gross and Boekamp today,” said Valhalla coach MIKE WILSON. “They all came in throwing strikes and went right after the hitters."

Valhalla, which travels to Steele Canyon on Thursday (May 8) for a key GSL battle, had to overcome a 2-1 deficit to pull out its fifth win in six starts.

The game was still up for grabs until the Norsemen scored four runs in the 7th inning to lock up the win over Monte Vista (7-17, 2-9 GSL).

VISTA-CALVARY CHRISTIAN 7, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 2 – During a hectic final week for the Knights of Foothills Christian, coach JAMES McHUGH had to feel for Tuesday’s (May 6) pitcher BRANDON JAROSIN, who deserved a better fate in this non-league battle at Barona Stars Field.

Jarosin allowed only six hits and one earned run in a complete game effort, yet was stung with a resounding loss by the visiting Eagles.

“We really wasted a great outing by Brandon Jarosin today,” said McHugh. “ Brandon probably had the second best performance that a pitcher has had on our team this season.”

After a scoreless 1st inning Calvary Christian (14-6) capitalized on three Foothills Christian errors to score four unearned runs. By the time the Knights (9-11) found the scoreboard it was 7-0 in the 6th inning.

In the 6th Foothills loaded the bases with nobody out. Two outs later IAN MURPHY doubled down the right field line to drive in two runs. Murphy was robbed of a third RBI when his ball rolled into the batting cage in the right-field corner and was ruled a ground rule double.

“We’re still looking to win 15 and that goal is still in reach,” McHugh said.

© East County Sports.com
CALEXICO (5-06-08) — The Foothills Christian Knights will play approximately one-fourth of their season schedule this week. One thing is certain – six games over six days will tax the already thin Foothills pitching staff.

The Knights (9-10) got off to a solid start as they defeated host Vincent Memorial, 10-8, in a non-league game Monday (May 5) in the Imperial Valley.

Foothills Christian coach JAMES McHUGH labeled Monday’s outing "The Cinco de Mayo Experiment."

“Because of our amount of games, pitching is obviously our biggest obstacle this week,” said McHugh, who utilized six pitchers to hold off Vincent Memorial. To make matters worse, the Knights are operating without one of their top pitchers because of grade issues.

“Basically I need innings out of guys that don't pitch, rather guys that have never pitched,” McHugh said. “Vincent Memorial and West Shores are two of the weaker teams we will face this week so I decided that we need to get through those two games without using a starting pitcher.”

RYAN SMITH got the start at Vincent Memorial and worked one inning. Catcher IAN MURPHY picked up the slack by gunning down two would-be base stealers in the inning.

Yet, two innings into the game the Scots had the Knights pinned down 4-0.

Murphy remained a stalwart behind the dish, as he cut down a third Scot attempting to steal in the 2nd frame.

Foothills pounded out 19 hits – trying the school record – to pull this one out.

HENRY LUSCHEI led the attack with four hits and one RBI. ZACH CUMMINGS, BRANDON JAROSIN, MATT DELMORE and JOE CANTER added three hits apiece. Jarosin, Delmore and Smith drove in 2 runs apiece.

In the 7th, Luschei came on and got the save, allowing just an infield single which 3rd baseman Smith made an amazing play on but was just late on the throw.

SHINING KNIGHTS: Luschei reached 22 RBI for the season which ties him with MITCHELL WYGANT (San Diego Christian College) for the Foothills record. . . Canter's 9th double of the season is Foothills all-time best.