Hull’s late inning heroics propel Patriots to victory

By Adam Paul
Updated: April 15, 2021

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

By Adam Paul

CHULA VISTA – Late inning heroics by Brady Hull (2-2, 2 RBI) with the score tied in the bottom of the ninth inning give the Patrick Henry Patriots the 5-2 a come-from-behind Bill Dickens-GMC Classic tournament victory over Mater Dei Catholic on Wednesday (Apr. 14).

For both teams, the pitching was very strong as they combined for 20 strikeouts on the day and also ten hits on the day.

Santiago Garcia of the Mustangs in the bottom of the first inning drive in the first run when he doubled to right field to score Ali Camarillo, later in the inning with two outs Anthony Gomez added another run with an RBI base hit.

Trailing 2-0 in the top of the second inning the Patriots were able to scratch a run back when Hull drove in Andrew Guana (1-2, R) to cut the lead 2-1.

Moving along to the top of the sixth inning and opportunities dwindling the Patriots with one were able to get something going as Jeremiah Vargas (1-2, R) singled to left field, a couple of batters later with two outs Ryan Ellis (1-4, RBI) singled in Vargas to tie the game at 2-2.

Otay Ranch would threaten in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs as Julian Padilla doubled and Damian Passillas walked and Camarillo walked to load the bases. But Guana for the Patriots was able to strike out the next batter to end the inning.

Another opportunity for the Patriots in the top of the eighth inning presented itself as Max Shabestari led off with a walk, Vargas followed by being hit by a pitch. With runners on first and second and no outs things looked good for Patrick Henry. Unfortunately, a strikeout and a pitcher’s friend (double-play ball) ended the inning.

With the score still tied at 2-2 in the top of the ninth inning with one out Eddie Gomez (RUN) drew a walk, he would advance to second base on an error by the pitcher. The next batter Hull came up and on a 1-2 count would hit a lined shot to left field that brought Gomez around to score from second base and give Patrick Henry a 3-2 lead.

Guana went back out to the mound in the bottom of the ninth looking to finish things out. He was able to retire the first batter for the first out of the inning. The next batter Padilla on an 0-2 count would single. With one out and a runner on first Guana was able to get Pasillas to hit a comebacker to him in which he promptly threw to Shabestri who was covering second base who then threw to Ellis at first for the game-ending double play.

Starting for the Mustangs, Julian Padilla who tossed four innings in which he allowed one run on two hits while walking one and striking out five, in relief and taking the loss was Naithan Delosantos who went five innings in which he gave up two runs on three hits while walking three and striking out five on the day.

Patrick Henry used three pitchers on the day. Starting pitcher Dylan Dyresen in his four innings of work allowed two runs on two hits while walking three and striking out four, Carson Dudley tossed two innings and struck out one, and Guana who picked up the win on the day went three innings in which he allowed no runs on three hits while walking two and fanning five on the day.