ROUNDUP: Knights split DH; Madison beats Pats in extras

By ECS Staff
Updated: March 24, 2019

2019 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

SPRING VALLEY – At Mount Miguel, the Foothills Christian Knights captured the first game of a doubleheader, 5-4, before the visiting Trojans of Longmont, Colo., gained a split with a 12-8 in the second game.

In the opener, the Knights broke a 3-all tie with two runs in the 6th, then needed to hang on for the victory.

The game-winning rally was a result of “small ball,” as Tyler Kennedy singled to right, Jaden Bankhead sacrifice bunted him to second, then Brendan Campbell walked to set-up the rally.

Moments later, Knights No. 9 hitter Cameron Nicks singled home Kennedy with the go-ahead run, then Jalani Brown (3-for-3, double, 3 runs) lifted a sacrifice fly for an important insurance run. For Longmont, Devin Nowells batted 4-for-4 with an RBI.

In Game Two, Foothills Christian (3-9) led 4-1 after one inning before faltering, despite a 2-run double by Jack Wurts and a pair of RBI by Corbin Harris,

“Everyone had a good day at the plate today,” said Knights sophomore Kip Famolaro. “Defensively we’ve gotta tighten things up, making our pitchers work harder than they should be. You expect to win the games where you score 8 runs. Still, we have a lot of season left to get the defense where it needs to be.”

For Longmont (3-2), Brady Renck hit a solo home run, the matched teammate Adam Benes with three hits each.

MADISON 4, CHRISTIAN 3 (9 inn.): At Kearny Mesa, the Patriots’ Braeden Ross bombed a 2-run homer in the 7th inning, then Christian tacked on another run to force extra innings, but it all proved moot when the Warhawks answered in the 9th to claim a WesternLeaguee victory on Saturday (Mar.23).

Madison starting pitcher Victor Arreola carried a no-hitter into the 7th, but allowed four hits and couldn’t finish, receiving no-decision despite 10 strikeouts.

“Vic was pitching really well today but I was glad I could get the rally going in the seventh with a bomb,” Ross said. “Going into extras, we just couldn’t keep the offense going to get the win. All credit to Madison, they’re a great ball team with some great pitching.

“Our team is definitely on the rise, hopefully, we can string together a few wins in league before we head off to Florida during spring break.”

The Pats’ one-out rally saw Peyton Berroth single but replaced on the bases by Isaiah Owenson’s fielder’s choice grounder for the second out before Ross went deep to the right.

“I would definitely consider myself a two-way player,” Ross said. “For the most part, I consider myself a hitter, but I also love getting on the mound.”

Christian tied it when Carson Stroman singled, Alex Markowicz reached on a dropped third strike (wild pitch), then pinch-hitter Matt Souza lined a run-scoring single to right field.

Madison won on a bases-loaded, one-out single by Chase Schilling. The unearned run was set-up by a hit batter, a walk, and an error. Warhawks reliever Christian Becerra collected the victory thanks to 2.1 innings of no-hit work from out of the bullpen.

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