Thursday, March 16, 2017

LJ baseball 3, Brawley 5

By Ed Piper, Jr.

Junior right-hander Sam Stewart pitched a strong 4 1/3 innings in relief, but La Jolla wasn't able to come back after giving up five runs in the top of the second, losing to Brawley, 5-3, in the Bully's Tournament Tues., March 14.

The 5'10" hurler, in only his second varsity appearance, took over from starter Dane Hansen with two outs in the second and scattered three hits, with one walk, and didn't give up a run during his long-relief stint.

Stewart did hit two batters, but it would be understandable if that was merely nerves at newly playing at the varsity level for Head Coach Gary Frank's squad.

The junior employs a submarine underhand delivery. Asked if La Jolla has had a submariner at any time in recent years, assistant coach Steve Booth replied, "No."

The Vikings scored two runs in the bottom of the second, after the visiting Wildcats batted through the order and scored a five-spot of runs in the top of the inning.

Garrett Brown, batting in the fourth slot in the order, led off the inning by getting aboard on an error. On his grounder to short, Brawley shortstop Jonathan Gonzalez pulled first baseman Blake Zeleny off the bag.

Fellow senior Nick Ferenczy lined a single to right, moving Brown to third. After Brawley starter Robert Brodell struck out Cooper McNally swinging, Alex Monell struck a base hit to right to drive in Brown for La Jolla's first run. Ferenczy advanced to third.

Sebastian Partida hit a sacrifice fly to right fielder Mark Cisneros, scoring Ferenczy. The score was Brawley 5, La Jolla 2. Sola Hope took a called third strike to end the inning.

The Vikings later added another run, while Stewart shut the Wildcats down.

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