Prep roundup: Granada and Heritage show out at Banner Island Showcase, Pittsburg dominates, St. Francis softball rolls

Baseball

No. 12 Pittsburg 9, Washington 1: A flash of rain 10 minutes before first pitch didn’t stop the Pirates from running away with this game early. 

After scoring two runs in the first inning, Pittsburg scored five in the second to take a commanding 7-0 lead. The Pirates took advantage of Washington’s last-minute scratch of scheduled starting pitcher Hugo Marks by totaling four hits and having eight batters reach base in the first two innings. Marks was ruled out with an injury just before game time.

Ty Thompson had one of his best games of the season as he batted 3 for 4, had three RBIs and recorded a double and a triple. The junior Cal Poly commit also got it done on the mound, striking out three batters in an inning pitched. Devin Simonton added three hits and brought in three runners.

“Ty came out with his hair on fire,” said Pittsburg coach Marco Cartenga. “That was awesome. It was what we needed. He’s going to be a big part of this team going forward.”

Washington’s lone run came in the fifth inning when Ehkam Braich’s single brought home Tommy Bolden Jr. from third base. 

Pittsburg snapped Washington’s five-game win streak and improved to 7-3. Washington coach Michael Sewell was blunt when talking about the team’s performance. 

“It’s super beneficial,” Sewell said about the loss. “It gets the team back to reality. It makes them think ‘Hey, we’re not that good.’”

For the Pirates, Saturday’s win is something the team hopes to build off of heading as they close non-conference play. 

“A win like this definitely helps with our motivation to get us going,” Thompson said. “These games build character. Everybody had to dig down deep and fight. It’s going to help us in the playoffs for sure.”

Washington dropped to 5-4 and will start league play against Moreau Catholic on Tuesday. 

Heritage 4, Tracy 0: Ryan Williams wanted to put on a show, playing in a ballpark he used to frequent as a kid.

The 5-foot-11 pitcher struck out seven batters, allowed four hits, didn’t allow a run in seven innings and won his fifth game of the season as Heritage beat Tracy in the final game of the Banner Island Showcase.

“To be able to play here is truly a blessing,” the pitcher said. “Who wouldn’t want to come here and play under the lights?”

Tracy had a chance to put runs on the board with two runners on in the third inning, but a 5-3-5 double play got the Patriots out of the inning and deflated some much needed momentum from the Bulldogs. 

Sophomore catcher Tyler Williams led Heritage offensively, recording two hits and knocking in a run. JJ Kinnaird scored twice and walked once. 

“This team is in a position right now where they’ve got a win streak going and to come out against a quality team like Tracy under the lights was good to see,” said Heritage coach Kevin Brannan. “I think it’s going to pay off for us down the road.”

Heritage improved to 8-1-1 and will play Antioch on Tuesday.

No. 2 Granada 6, Cardinal Newman 1: Granada continued its hot streak, notching its 10th straight victory with a win over North Bay powerhouse Cardinal Newman at the Banner Island Showcase in Stockton.

Starting pitcher Mason Rivera struck out three and allowed just two hits and a run in four innings. Quinn Boyd had a hit and two RBIs while Joey Marasco had two hits and an RBI for Granada.

Bear Creek 2, No. 13 Berkeley 0: Bear Creek pitcher Aaron Bayhon threw a no-hitter on 85 pitches as the Bruins pulled out a close-win in the first game of the Banner Island Showcase. 

Errors from the Yellow Jackets in the fourth and fifth innings led to runs for Bear Creek.

Pitcher Quinton Hill was a bright spot for Berkeley, striking out three batters on 84 pitches in five innings. 

“Early on we just felt sluggish,” said Berkeley coach Curtis Sandeford. “We had to get on the bus at 6:30 a.m. to get here, but our guys have to do a better job preparing.”

Softball

No. 1 St. Francis 7, Hollister 1: The Lancers dominated Hollister behind a solid outing from two-way player Kate Munnerlyn.

Munnerlyn went 3 for 4 at the plate with two RBIs and a double. She struck out five and allowed a run in the pitcher’s circle. 

The Lancers also got a huge lift Shannon Keighran who had two hits, three RBIs, a double and a homerun. 

St. Francis, which improved to 7-1, will play at home against Otay Ranch on Thursday. 

No. 2 Archbishop Mitty 4, No. 14 Capuchino 0: Sophomore pitcher Kyleigh Mace threw a complete game shutout, striking out six and allowing two hits in a win over Capuchino Saturday.

Senior Lindsey Miller went 2 for 4 at the plate with a homerun while Keira Brady had three hits and brought in a run for Mitty. 

The Monarchs are 7-1 and have won their last six games. Capuchino is now 4-3.