Overheim’s day is play against Knights

CHULA VISTA —- East County baseball fans probably never heard of Olympian High center fielder Colin Overheim. Even South Bay followers of high school baseball don’t know much about the junior, who bats near the bottom of the Eagles batting order with a career batting average well under .300.

However, coaches always ask their players: find a way to contribute. Despite an 0-for-2 at the plate, Overheim recorded the play of the game with his arm to carry Olypian past visiting Foothills Christian, 12-3, in Saturday’s (May 8) non-league contest.

After the Knights tallied three runs with still no one out in the first inning, Overheim collected a ball that went for a 2-run double, nailing the batter attempting to take an extra base, as Eagles third baseman Nevin Baclig made the tag after snaring a perfect throw from the outfield.

As the Eagles answered back with 12 unanswered runs, the momentum instantly switched to hand the Knights a sixth straight setback.

Everything went Foothills Christian’s way to start, although much of it was induced by the Eagles.

The ballgame’s opening two batters — Cameron Nicks and Kip Famolaro — were both hit by a pitch, then Colby Johnson reached on an error for a 1-0 lead.

Cleanup hitting Taylor Casey knocked in the remaining baserunners with his double to make it 3-0. But with the ball in front of him, Casey elected to try for third, probably knowing only a perfect throw would get him.

And now, Overheim has his one published highlight to tell his future children about.

Later, Eagles relief pitchers Carlos Cerda and (3 innings) and Adam Amaro (1) combined for four frames of no-hit out of the bullpen. Cerda gained the victory. Casey took the pitching loss despite five Knights errors leading to seven unearned runs.

“Olympian is a good hitting team and unfortunately our errors and walks added up,” Casey said. “We didn’t capitalize early. With league play starting, we need to string together some wins, but we need to clean up our defense.”

Olympian (10-4 overall) received two hits each from catcher  Aaron Garcia (both doubles) designated hitter Landon Rodrin and shortstop Alejandro Obeso.

“Olympian knew how to react to my fastball and my curve,” Famalaro said. “We killed a few rallies we had on the basepaths. We could’ve done a lot more damage if we ran the bases smarter. We need to minimize our mistakes on defense and everything will fall into place.”

Foothills Christian (9-9) finished with six hits, including a double by Seth Gilbody. The Knights open Pacific League play Monday, traveling to meet Maranatha Christian (6-9-1) in the first of an away-and-home series.

CV-High Tech 22, Liberty Charter 0 (4 inn.)

SPRING VALLEY —- High Tech High of Chula Vista, the leaders of the Summit League, posted 13 runs in the fourth inning, which was enough to down Liberty Charter in Saturday’s (May 8) ballgame held at Mount Miguel high.

Bruins pitchers Ray Castillo and Justin Rodriguez went two innings each, combing on the 3-hit shutout. When Castillo exited, it was only 1-0, but CV=HTH scored eight times in the third before an even bigger outburst in the fourth.

High Tech (10-4 overall, 4-0 Summit) clinch at least a share of the league title.

Liberty Charter (1-4, 0-3 league) received base hits from Tommy Scanlon and Jaxon  Adrain, plus the first hit of the season for Keawe Pelekai-Librea, a double.