Knights are kings of comeback again

By Ramon Scott
Updated: April 21, 2018

JACK WURTS / photo courtesy MIKE MCHUGH

2018 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

CHULA VISTA – The Foothills Christian Knights delivered another come-from-behind win on Saturday, rallying from a 5-1 deficit in the seventh inning to defeat Olympian, 6-5, in eight innings in a non-league game.

There’s no panic in these Knights, but they sure keep their fans waiting for the right time to strike up the offense.

The Knights tied the game this time on sophomore JACK WURTS’ three-run double with two outs in the top of the final frame.

Wurts’ hit merely brought FCHS to within 5-4, as his shot to the wall cleared the bases, but after he attempted to advance to third, the ball was thrown past the third basemen, allowing Wurts to come home and tie the score.

“I wanted a chance to break it open,” Wurts said. “I got a pitch I could drive and put a good swing on it.

“It felt good coming off the bat and I knew it was going to be trouble for them. As far as scoring on the error, well, we caught a break. I made a mistake on the bases and should have been thrown out going to third. The throw was high and went into left, letting me score. I guess you take your breaks as they come.”

The win improved the Knights’ record to 12-9.

KIP FAMOLARO, who started on the mound for the Knights and went four innings, hit a sacrifice fly to center to score junior JALANI BROWN, which turned out to be the winning run.

“Before my at-bat, coach told us to make them throw a strike,” said Famolaro, a freshman. “I got on the dish and worked a 3-1 count. My mindset was to hit middle away to score the guy.”

Brown stole second to get into scoring position, then moved to third on a ball in the dirt.

“The seventh inning was really crazy and it made my heart stop but Jack Wurts came up clutch,” Brown said. “That hit got our team riled up for this win. I was lead off and I had to come up big for the team because we were giving a fight so I did what I had to do and got a single to get on base so we would have a runner on.”

Senior CHRIS STALLARD entered in relief and pitched 3 2/3 innings, picking up the victory.

“My objective today on the mound was to just pound the strike zone and get us back in on offense,” Stallard said. “I think the bats came alive today in the seventh because we were behind. Our hitters have shown that we were not going down without a fight.”

The Knights took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on an RBI single by Brown, which drove in sophomore CADE CABRAL (HBP). Cabral recorded a steal to get into scoring position.

“I knew we needed to get runners over so I hit a curveball to right field to score in a guy so I mainly did my job and did what I was taught to do.”

Senior BAILEY LEWIS got things started in the seventh with a lead single to left.

“I think Bailey and I played really well today,” Stallard said. “I thought Kip pitched great as well. I think we are hitting the stride for a good run in league and hope to carry it into playoffs.”

The Knights improved to 12-9 overall with the win. FCHS is currently 1-1 in the Pacific League. Foothills plays a home-and-home set with Tri-City Christian in league play this week.

“We have won several close games this year against good teams,” Wurts said. “We won a tough game against Del Norte to win the Lions Tournament. And again this week we beat Classical (Academy) in a close one. Both good teams. Olympian played a tough game. They are a good team.”