Eagles hurl their way past Falcons in GMC

By Ramon Scott
Updated: March 21, 2018

2018 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

SCRIPPS RANCH – Granite Hills hurlers CLAY FORDHAM and JAKE FENN combined on a three-hitter as the 13th-ranked Eagles edged host Scripps Ranch, 2-1, in the Bill Dickens-Gordon Thompson bracket of the Grossmont-Metro-City Tournament on Wednesday.

Fordham, a sophomore, earned the victory, going five innings, allowing three hits and one run while striking out one.

“Individually, I’ve grown to have a lot of confidence in myself,” Fordham said. “And a lot of that confidence comes from the defense I’ve had behind me. I feel comfortable in any situation with my guys behind me. Today I was working off a fastball that allowed me to throw my slider in good pitching situations.”

Fenn, a senior, threw two innings to earn the save, striking out two and walking one.

“Scripps is a tough place to play, the wind blows straight in,” Granite Hills coach JAMES DAVIS said. “Clay Fordham did a great job, Jake Fenn came in and closed the door.”

The Eagles improved to 5-2 and 2-0 in the GMC, but despite the everyday grind of the tournament season, not a game or practice goes by that the team doesn’t remember their recently lost friends from the Granite Hills High family.

“I think we are pushing harder and harder each game for WILL (BURTON) and TREVOR (BARNES),” Fenn said. “I approach every game with the same mindset, intensity, and complete focus.”

The Eagles got their two runs in the third inning when sophomore RYAN FENN singled to get things going.

Sophomore TK PARKER drew a one-out walk and juinor SEAN MCGREW followed with an RBI double, scoring Ryan Fenn.

“Sean McGrew had another great game for us,” Davis said.

McGrew is hitting .391 this season with six RBI and six runs scored.

“I think the success comes from the years of hard work leading up to my high school years,” McGrew said. “I’m just trying to play the best I can for my teammate WILL (BURTON) and really dedicating this season for him. Our team is starting to come together even though we have a lot to work on but I’m excited for the rest of the season.”

Senior TREVOR HAZELHURST lifted a sacrifice fly to center to bring Parker in from third.

After a lead triple knocked Fordham from the game in the sixth, Jake Fenn came on to record a run-scoring groundout.

Jake Fenn walked the next hitter but retired the next five in order.

Fordham lowered his ERA to 2.97 with a strong second start. He also has a save.

Fordham’s dad was a former major leaguer who played on a Granite squad that made three consecutive playoff appearances in 1990-92, including a 3A semifinal following a Grossmont 3A League championship team that went 7-1 (17-10-1 overall)

“We’ve just kept moving through the thick and thin,” Fordham said of the team’s emotional year. “Just staying close to each other all the time now knowing how nothing can be taken for granted.”

Jake Fenn has allowed just one hit in five innings over four appearances so far. The Eagles’ team ERA is just 2.57 following another pitcher’s duel.

“I was just thinking about getting the next out and getting my team back in the dugout,” Jake Fenn said. “I think our pitching staff looks really strong and it’s shaping up to be a good year on the mound for everyone.”

The Eagles have won three straight and host Bonita Vista on Friday at 3:30 in the Dickens-Thompson bracket of the GMC tourney.