ROUNDUP: Eagles, Knights, Sultans, Matadors win

By Ramon Scott
Updated: March 24, 2021

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

GRANITE HILLS 3, POWAY 2 – At Poway, Spencer Davis had a two-out, two-run double in the third for a 3-0 Granite lead in the season opener between high-profile programs.

“That pitch was a fastball and I was trying to hit the ball to left-center since they were shifting to the right on me,” Davis said. “I just happened to get the right pitch and put it in the right spot. Our team played really well. I am excited to get to grind through a season together with them.”

Noa Ponciano closed out the final two frames, allowing no hits and striking out two.

“Hudson Beamon stood out due to his clutch catches throughout the game in the outfield,” Ponciano said. “We are looking like a strong team with good stuff on the mound and in the box. Today, I was working on spotting up with my fastball against a good-hitting team.”

Austin Smith got the win with four scoreless innings.

“It was a good team win,” Smith said. “Our defense played great behind me. Hudson played great right field for us, making a diving play to save a run And Ponce came in and shut them down for the ‘W.'”

Grant MacArthur had an RBI single in the third inning.

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 7, SWEETWATER 0 – Three Foothills Christian pitchers combined on a one-hitter against the host Red Devils on Tuesday.

Kip Famolaro struck out eight and walked one, allowing just one hit over four frames for the Knights.

Then, Seth Gilbody threw a pair of hitless innings, and Daniel Chalupnik came on to finish the seventh.

“Kip threw amazing today,” Gilbody said “He is the No. 1 pitcher on our team, and for good reason. He was throwing really hard. He made it almost impossible for Sweetwater to hit it.

“Relieving for kip is kind of tough because it is hard to match his level of intensity on the mound. but it worked out in the end. I had to rely on my curveball a lot for the two innings I pitched.

“Daniel, being a freshman, pitched fantastic. I am glad we were able to get him out there and give him an opportunity. I think he will be a very reliable pitcher in our roster this year and years to come.

Colby Johnson had a double and three RBI on the hit, clearing the bases.

“Kip, Seth, and Daniel pitched a heck of a game,” Johnson said. “I saw a pitch I could handle and I was fortunate to drive in a few runs. Besides losing one or two players to other sports, I think this team is strong, has a lot of fun, and has the potential to do well this season. I believe our team’s biggest strength is the energy we bring from the dugout and on to the field.”

Gilbody had a triple and drove in a run.

“Kip was throwing so hard that it was hard to even foul something off,” Foothills Christian head coach Dave Lewis said. “Seth Gilbody was dominant also and then our freshman, Daniel, came in the seventh and on six pitches he retired the side. One walk and no errors will win you a baseball game most of the time. I preach throw strikes and make plays and you will win. That’s what we did.”

SANTANA 7, HILLTOP 0 – Santana junior Koda Alto pitched six innings, allowing three hits while striking out seven with no walks to help the Sultans win their opener with the host Lancers.

Senior Dean Landers drove in three runs.

Junior Elijah Reber drove in a pair of runs and scored a run.

Junior Ethan Wright had three hits, including a triple, and scored a run.

MOUNT MIGUEL 26, EL CAJON VALLEY 4 – The Matadors won against the Braves.

Thomas Ringer, a senior, had three hits and scored three runs for the Matadors.

Senior Darien Garcia and junior Miles Emerick both scored three runs for Mount Miguel.

Sophomore Joeseph Ortega struck out three in 1 1/3 innings of relief work as Mount Miguel used five pitchers.

Braves junior Alvaro Alvarado had a hit and drove in a run.