Knights rally, then hold off Lancers

SPRING VALLEY —- Billy Temple and Colton White registered RBI singles as Foothills Christian staved off a late Francis Parker rally to post a 5-4 non-league victory on Saturday (May 15) at Mount Miguel High.

The visiting Lancers jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first, but defensive mistakes by both ball clubs led to an array of unearned runs, Fortunately for the Knights, they were charged with one fewer error leading to one fewer unearned run, which proved to be the difference.

The comeback by the Knights saw a pair of ugly runs in the second, then three more traditional runs in the third to grab the advantage for keeps.

In the second, the first three batters — Cameron Nicks (lead single), Zach Ortiz (walk), and Temple (single) — reached to load the bases. Francis Parker then had two chances to escape the jam and keep the damage to a minimum.

Temple’s ground ball was booted instead of turned into a double play, allowing Nicks to score. Because the Lancers failed to record even one out on the play, an ensuing ground ball did result in a double play, but Ortiz was able to score.

In the third, there was a mixture of everything to move in front.

Kip Famolaro grounder a lead single to center, then Johnson walked. An out later, Nicks bunted, but the ball was thrown away. Nicks received a sacrifice, but no RBI as Famolaro tied the score.

Then with two down, Temple singled home Johnson with the go-ahead run, while Nicks took third base. Temple then took off for second base and was caught, but Temple raced home for a 5-3 cushion.

“It was nice to get a few hits,” said Johnson, who got the pitching win with a complete game, walking none and striking out three. “Kip has been really hot lately at the plate so it’s nice that it all came together today for us.”

Francis Parker answered with a seventh-inning run on an error, but the next batter ground out to end it,  as Johnson placed the finishing touches on his complete-game triumph.

Foothills Christian (11-10 overall) returns to Pacific League action next week with a two-game series against the White Tigers of Escondido Charter. The Knights are in a 3-way tie for second place, one full game behind first-place Tri-City Christian.

Francis Parker (5-9) saw leadoff batter Chris Williams bat 3-for-4 and scored twice.