Knights in Bully’s final; Monarchs’ Sanchez dominates

By Ramon Scott
Updated: March 16, 2018

2018 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

CHULA VISTA – The Foothills Christian Knights are tied for the best record in the East County after freshman TYLER KENNEDY drove in three runs as FCHS improved to 4-1 by defeating the Castle Park Trojans, 11-4, at the Bully’s Sweetwater Invitational on Thursday afternoon.

More impressively, the Knights are a squad chock full of freshman and sophomores, several of which led Foothills to the win over a Castle Park team that came into the contest at 3-1.

The victory puts the Knights in the tournament championship game against Del Norte.

The Nighthawks knocked off the Knights, 10-0, in the season-opener, Ironically, it was Del Norte that had given Castle Park its only loss so far.

“Our team has come a long way since that first game,” Kennedy said. “We had a great team win today. Everyone contributed and hit well. I was feeling comfortable in the box.”

Castle Park jumped out to a 3-0 lead on just one hit in the bottom of the first, but Foothills Christian scored five runs in the second inning to provide plenty of support for winning pitcher BAILEY LEWIS, who then settled in and fanned 12 Red Devil hitters over six innings.

“Bailey had an excellent game,” Knights’ catcher JACK WURTS said. “He had good command of all of his pitches and was locating the ball well.”

In the Knights’ second, Kennedy singled on a 1-2 pitch to drive in a run, then, CAMERON NICKS doubled on a 1-0 pitch to drive in two more to tie the game.”

“I feel good being able to take another win with my brothers today,” Nicks said. “The pitching for Castle Park was good. I just felt that I had a better hitting performance. God has given me the strength for a great game.”

“I’m excited to have another game against Del Norte for another chance to add a “W’ to our record.”

Sophomore CORBIN HARRIS then hit an RBI triple to bring home junior JALANI BROWN (2-for-4) to make it 4-0. Harris had three hits on the afternoon, while Brown had a pair of stolen bases.

Harris had three hits on the afternoon, while Brown added a pair of stolen bases, for the menacing duo at the top of the lineup.

“Castle Park is a fantastic team,” Brown said. “When we first got to the field, they were extremely organized and prepared for a good ball game.

“Corbin and I just had a fun day at the plate. I knew we would be facing good pitching, but I never doubted my boys.

“The championship game will be a tough one to win, but if we produce like we did today, I have no doubt that we will take the win home.

Foothills freshman KIP FAMOLARO threw a scoreless inning of relief.

Senior TREVOR SMALLWOOD and Wurts also had two hits each for FCHS.

“We have been focusing on our offense, trying to generate more runs,” Wurts said. “We were patient at the plate so we could get good pitches to attack.

“Between Bailey’s work on the hill and our good at-bats, we were able to get a win.”

The tournament championship game is on Saturday at 10 a.m.

MONTE VISTA 3, SWEETWATER 1 – Monte Vista sophomore ABRAHAM SANCHEZ threw five no-hit innings of relief on Thursday, striking out eight, as the Monarchs beat the host Red Devils at the Sweetwater Tournament.

Sweetwater scored in the bottom of the second for the first run of the game.

Monte Vista scored two runs in the fourth to take the lead as freshman ERNIE ARAMBULA had an RBI groundout to score Sanchez, who was hit by a pitch to start the inning, and junior RAMON VARELA hit a sacrifice fly, scoring JON GULLEY (walk) from third.

The Monarchs tacked on a big run in the top of the seventh when freshman ANDY CANEDO doubled and then scored on a double by freshman JACOB SAVOY.

Sanchez retired the side in order in three of his five innings pitched, scattering a pair of walks, to earn the victory.

Monte Vista opens play in the Bill Dickens GMC Tournament on Tuesday against winless Mater Dei Catholic on the road at 3:30 p.m.

LA COSTA CANYON 3, SANTANA 0 – Mavericks senior JJ Rytz pitched a one-hitter as the Sultans fell behind early and couldn’t come back in a loss to fifth-ranked La Costa Canyon on Thursday.

La Costa Canyon took the lead on a double in the first inning.

The Sultans’ got a fourth-inning double from BRANDON GLOWACKI.

Senior LANDON WOOD pitched admirably for Santana. He lasted six innings, allowing seven hits and three runs while striking out five and allowing no walks.

Santana will face Scripps Ranch in the Bill Dickens GMC Tournament on Monday at 4 in Santee.

MOUNTAIN EMPIRE 8, VINCENT MEMORIAL 5 – After the Scots erased the Red Hawks’ 4-0 first inning lead, Mountain Empire struck late for the win over Vincent Memorial.

The game was tied at four in the top of the sixth when JACOBE NOLAND hit into a fielder’s choice, driving in a run.

In the first inning, Mountain Empire’s WYATT MANN tripled to drive in Noland, who singled with one out.

Mann tripled again in the sixth, driving in a couple of runs to up the lead to 7-4.

TREVOR ELLIOTT was credited with the victory for Mountain Empire. He surrendered five runs on five hits over 6 1/3 innings, striking out 12.

Elliott also drove in a run with a single in the first inning, driving in Mann, then singled again in the sixth, to score Mann once again, which made it 8-4.

IAN ESTRADA recorded the last two outs to earn the save for Mountain Empire.

RYAN SAWYER also collected two hits to lead Mountain Empire.

ARMY-NAVY 4, LIBERTY CHARTER 2 – Liberty fell to 3-2. The Lions take on Julian on Friday at 3:15 p.m.